Averbakh Variation is variation 6 of 6 in the King's Indian Defence course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO E74). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 …. White plays Be2 and Bg5 to stop ...e5 and pin the f6 knight. Black hits the centre with ...c5 and ...e6, opens the e-file and develops with ...Re8 and ...Bg4. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White occupies the centre.
1... Nf6 – Develops and controls e4.
2. c4 – Gains space.
2... g6 – Prepares ...Bg7.
3. Nc3 – Develops and supports e4.
3... Bg7 – Fianchettoes.
4. e4 – Builds the centre.
4... d6 – Prepares central play.
5. Be2 – Keeps g1-f3 flexible and prepares Bg5.
5... O-O – Castles before White's Bg5 adds pressure.
6. Bg5 – The Averbakh: pins the f6 knight and makes ...e5 harder because the d8 queen is in the pin line.
6... c5 – Hits d4 at once, the main antidote.
7. d5 – Gains space and closes the c-file.
7... e6 – Undermines d5 and opens the e-file.
8. Qd2 – Defends the g5 bishop and prepares Bh6 to trade Black's g7 bishop.
8... exd5 – Opens the e-file now.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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