Kings Indian Defense Averbakh Benoni Advance Variation
King’s Indian Defense
Definition
The King’s Indian Defense (KID) is a hyper-modern opening that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7. Black allows White to occupy the centre with pawns and later attacks it with pieces and timely pawn breaks. Its ECO codes are E60–E99.
Typical Move-Order
A common tabiya is:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: Black aims for …e5 or …c5 to undermine White’s pawn centre.
- Pawn Storms: After …f7-f5 Black often launches a kingside attack, while White may push queenside pawns with c4-c5 or b2-b4.
- Piece Play: Knights typically head for f4/e5 (for Black) and c4/e3 (for White). The dark-squared bishop on g7 is a long-range powerhouse.
Historical Significance
The KID became fashionable in the 1940s thanks to Soviet grandmasters such as Isaac Boleslavsky and David Bronstein. Later, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov employed it as their main weapon against 1. d4, cementing its reputation as one of the most combative replies.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov – Kramnik, Linares 1994: Kasparov demonstrates a typical kingside pawn storm with 19. c5! followed by a sacrificial breakthrough on e5.
Interesting Facts
- The KID is one of the few top-level openings where Black frequently plays for a direct mate attack rather than mere equality.
- Because of the sharp play, many engines evaluate typical KID structures as slightly worse for Black, yet human practitioners continue to score well with it.
- Garry Kasparov scored over 70 % with the KID in World-Championship match games.
Averbakh Variation (King’s Indian)
Definition
The Averbakh Variation is a solid, strategic line against the King’s Indian Defense, named after Soviet grandmaster and endgame theoretician Yuri Averbakh. It arises after:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5
Key Ideas for White
- Early Pin: 6.Bg5 pins the knight on f6, discouraging Black’s usual …e5 break.
- Flexible Centre: White can choose between f2-f3 (bolstering e4) or d4-d5 (gaining space).
- Piece Play: Knights often reroute to h3 and f2; the light-squared bishop may return to e3 or g5-h4-g3.
Plans for Black
- Break with …c5 or …h6 followed by …e5 after forcing Bg5-h4.
- Use the typical …Na6–c5 manoeuvre to hit d3/b3 and support …e5.
Historical & Strategic Significance
Developed in the 1950s, the Averbakh was one of the first systems to challenge the KID on positional grounds rather than entering the highly theoretical Mar del Plata main line. Its solidity made it a favourite of Anatoly Karpov in his early career.
Example Mini-Plan
After 6…c5 7.d5 h6 8.Be3 e6 9.dxe6 Bxe6, the position resembles a Benoni structure where the pin on f6 has delayed Black’s kingside play, giving White time for 10.Nf3 and Qd2.
Interesting Anecdotes
- Yuri Averbakh, the line’s namesake, became the world’s oldest living grandmaster, celebrating his 100th birthday in 2022.
- Karpov used the variation to beat Lev Psakhis in the 1983 Soviet Championship, a critical win on his path to first place.
Benoni: Advance Variation
Definition
The Advance Variation of the Benoni Defense occurs when, after Black’s …c5, White immediately pushes the d-pawn to d5, seizing space:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5
Instead of capturing on c5 (which would lead to the Benko Gambit) or playing Nf3 (entering main-line Benoni territory), White advances, fixing the centre and gaining queenside space.
Characteristic Features
- Fixed Centre: The pawn chain d5-c4 restricts Black’s central breaks.
- Space Advantage: White enjoys extra room on the queenside and often expands with b2-b4 and a2-a4.
- Minor-Piece Battles: Knights on c3 and f3 (or e2) versus Black knights striving for c5/e5.
Main Continuations for Black
- 3…e6: Transposes into the Modern Benoni if White later captures on e6 or allows …exd5.
- 3…b5!? (Benko-style gambit): Black sacrifices a pawn for activity on the a- and b-files.
- 3…g6: Fianchetto set-up, delaying …e6.
Strategic Significance
The Advance Variation is popular at club level because it avoids heavy theory while retaining clear plans: blockade the centre, expand on the queenside, and keep Black’s pieces cramped. Grandmasters sometimes choose it as a surprise weapon; for instance, Magnus Carlsen employed 3.d5 against Hikaru Nakamura in blitz play to sidestep deep Benoni preparation.
Sample Game Fragment
White keeps a solid pawn on d5, eyes the b5 push, and maintains a clamp on the critical e4-square.
Interesting Facts
- The Advance Variation is classified under ECO code A43.
- Because the centre is locked, endgames often favour White, whose extra space makes piece coordination easier.
- A creative line for Black is 3…b5!? Known as the “Benko-style” approach, it mixes Benoni and Benko themes, leading to sharp play despite the early pawn offer.