King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense
A chess opening characterized by a flexible pawn structure and active piece play, often leading to sharp middlegame positions.
1. d4 2. Nf6 3. c4 4. g6 5. Nc3 6. Bg7 7. e4 8. d6 9. Be2 10. O-O 11. Bg5 12. c5The opening in question is a popular and aggressive choice that arises from the King's Indian Defense. It is named after the Soviet Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh, who contributed significantly to the development of this variation. The opening is characterized by a flexible pawn structure, with Black aiming to create counterplay on the queenside and in the center.
In this variation, White typically develops their pieces harmoniously, with the bishop on e2 and the knight on c3, while Black aims to challenge White's central pawn structure with a specific move. The Averbakh Variation is known for its sharp middlegame positions, where both sides have chances for active piece play and tactical opportunities.
One of the key ideas for Black in this opening is to undermine White's pawn center by exchanging on d4 and then applying pressure on the e4 pawn. This can lead to dynamic positions with chances for both sides. White, on the other hand, often tries to maintain their central pawn structure and exploit any weaknesses in Black's position.
The Averbakh Variation is a flexible and aggressive choice for Black, suitable for players who enjoy complex middlegame battles and are not afraid to take risks. It has been employed by many top-level players, including former World Champions Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov.
Rate | White | Black |
---|---|---|
0...1800 | 56.4 | 44.9 |
1800...2000 | 53.6 | 56 |
2000...2200 | 54.3 | 53.2 |
2200...2500 | 55.4 | 52.8 |
2500... | 57.5 | 47.9 |