King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation & Benoni Defense
King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation
Definition
The Averbakh Variation arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5. Named for GM Yuri Averbakh, it pins the f6-knight, discouraging Black’s usual …e5 break and steering the game into a more positional—yet still combative—channel than many other King’s Indian systems.
Typical Move-Order (Tabiya)
The “starting position” most players study is:
From here, the main branches are 7. d5 (gaining space), 7. Nf3 (flexible), or the ultra-sharp 7. dxc5.
Strategic Themes
- Early Pin: Bg5 prevents …e5 until the pin is resolved, forcing Black to adopt …h6/…g5, …c5, or …Na6 ideas.
- Queenside vs. Kingside Play: White often expands with f2-f4 and sometimes e4-e5; Black counter-punches with …e6 or …c5.
- Minor-Piece Battles: Whether the g5-bishop is exchanged, retreated, or rerouted to e3/f4 heavily shapes the ensuing pawn structure.
Illustrative Excerpt
One common continuation (Kortchnoi’s favourite setup) is:
This shows White seizing space with d5 while Black readies …g5 or …Na6 to unwind.
Historical & Practical Significance
Viktor Kortchnoi and Jan Timman used the Averbakh to good effect against King’s Indian experts in the 1970s–90s. In modern play, Anish Giri and Daniil Dubov employ it as a surprise weapon, appreciating its mix of solidity and latent aggression.
Interesting Facts
- Yuri Averbakh (1922-2022) was the world’s oldest living grandmaster, renowned more for endgame theory than opening novelties—yet this line carries his name.
- Because 6. Bg5 often stops …f5 ideas cold, some jokingly call it the “anti-Bayonet.”
Benoni Defense
Definition
The Modern Benoni begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6. Black sacrifices queenside space for a half-open e-file, an ultra-active fianchettoed bishop, and rich tactical chances. The name “Benoni”—Hebrew for “son of sorrow”—belies its reputation as a fighting, uncompromising defense.
Main-Line Framework
The standard set-up appears after:
White owns a broad pawn centre (pawns on d5 & e4) versus Black’s queenside majority (a7-b7-c5). Both sides typically launch pawn storms on opposite wings.
Strategic Themes
- Minority Attack vs. Centre: Black strives for …b5 or …Re8-e6 to undermine d5; White targets …e6 and dreams of e4-e5.
- Piece Activity: The g7-bishop, c8-rook, and often a knight on e5 create constant tactical motifs.
- King Safety: Because of the open diagonals, one misstep can lead to mating nets—draws are rarer than average.
Classic Example
Mikhail Tal’s sacrificial style shines in Tal – Fischer, Bled 1961:
Tal’s 25. e5! ripped open the centre, illustrating the Benoni’s razor-sharp character.
Historical & Modern Usage
Popularised by pioneers like Pal Benko and Ljubomir Ljubojević, the Benoni served Garry Kasparov well in the early 1990s (e.g., his win over Karpov, Linares 1993). Today Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Richard Rapport keep the defence in top-level circulation.
Interesting Facts
- Magnus Carlsen occasionally adopts the Old Benoni (1. d4 c5) as a surprise weapon.
- Neural-network engines (Leela Zero, Stockfish NNUE) have rehabilitated many Benoni lines once thought dubious.
- Because of its asymmetrical pawn structure, Benoni games feature one of the highest decisive-result percentages among 1. d4 openings.