Averbakh start
White uses Bg5 to make Black's normal development less comfortable.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5
King's Indian Averbakh Variation: Adviser, Diagrams and Replay Lab
The King's Indian Averbakh Variation uses Be2 and Bg5 to challenge the King's Indian setup: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5. White uses the pin and central space to slow Black's counterplay, while Black chooses between ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5, ...Qe8 and ...Nbd7.
Averbakh Variation quick map
This is the Be2 + Bg5 system against the King's Indian Defence.
- Core line:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5. - Black flexibility:
...Na6 and ...Nbd7. - Bishop question:
...h6 and Be3 or Bh4. - Central counters:
...c5, ...e5 and ...Qe8.
Averbakh Variation Adviser
Choose your side, branch, problem and study time. The adviser points to the diagram or replay group that best fits the Be2/Bg5 structure.
Key King's Indian Averbakh diagrams
These python-chess checked diagrams use final-move arrows from each displayed sequence: 6.Bg5, ...Na6, ...h6/Be3, ...c5, d5, ...Qe8 and ...Nbd7/...c6.
...Na6 main line
Black develops flexibly and keeps central counterplay options open.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 Na6
...h6 bishop question
Black asks the bishop to choose between e3 and h4.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 h6 7.Be3
...c5 counter
Black attacks White's centre before the bind becomes too stable.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 c5
...c5 and d5
White gains space while Black seeks Benoni-style counterplay.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 c5 7.d5
...Qe8 pressure
Black prepares central and kingside pressure while keeping the structure flexible.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 Na6 7.f4 Qe8
...Nbd7 and ...c6
Black develops solidly and supports central counterplay.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Qd2 c6
King's Indian Averbakh Replay Lab
The replay selector uses supplied Averbakh PGNs only, grouped by ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5, ...Qe8, ...Nbd7, h-pawn attacks and central-break structures.
Recommended first pass: Bareev vs Gelfand for a deep ...Na6 fight, Ivanchuk vs Topalov for White's attack, Bareev vs Bologan for ...h6 and Gelfand vs Polgar for ...c5 play.
Averbakh Variation Branch Map
King's Indian Defence parent
This page is the Be2 and Bg5 Averbakh branch. Return to the King's Indian Defence page.
Classical comparison
If White uses Nf3 and Be2 without Bg5, compare the Classical Variation page.
Petrosian comparison
If White closes early with d5, compare the Petrosian Variation page.
Sämisch comparison
If White uses f3 instead of Bg5, compare the Sämisch Variation page.
Study plan for White
- Learn the Bg5 idea and how to answer ...h6, ...Na6 and ...c5.
- Decide whether your main plan is d5 space, f4 pressure, h4 attack or central restraint.
- Use the Replay Lab to compare one White attacking win and one Black counterplay win.
Study plan for Black
- Choose your reply before the game: ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5, ...Qe8 or ...Nbd7.
- Do not allow Bg5 to freeze your normal King's Indian counterplay.
- Use the Adviser to match your counterplay route to White's centre structure.
King's Indian Averbakh Variation FAQ
King's Indian Averbakh Variation basics
What is the King's Indian Averbakh Variation?
The King's Indian Averbakh Variation is the Be2 and Bg5 system against the King's Indian Defence, usually after White builds the d4, c4, Nc3 and e4 centre. Use the Averbakh start diagram.
What is the exact move order of the Averbakh Variation?
A standard move order is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5. Use the Averbakh start diagram.
Why does White play Bg5 in the Averbakh?
White plays Bg5 to disturb Black's normal kingside development, provoke ...h6, and make ...e5 or ...c5 counterplay less automatic. Use the Averbakh start diagram.
Is the Averbakh Variation part of the King's Indian Defence?
Yes. It is one of White's major systems against the King's Indian Defence. Use the Branch Map to return to the King's Indian Defence page.
What is White's main idea in the Averbakh?
White aims for central control with e4 and d4, active piece pressure with Bg5, and flexible plans with Qd2, f4, h4 or d5. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
What is Black's main idea against the Averbakh?
Black challenges White's centre and bishop setup with ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5, ...Nbd7, ...Qe8 or ...e5. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
Is the Averbakh Variation sharp?
Yes. It can be positional at first, but ...c5, ...e5, ...h6 and kingside pawn breaks can make it sharp. Use the Replay Lab.
Is the Averbakh good for club players?
Yes, because White's idea is natural and easier to remember than some deep Classical lines. Use the diagram grid.
Main Black replies
What is Black's ...Na6 idea?
...Na6 develops flexibly, prepares ...c5 or ...Nc5, and avoids committing the c-pawn or king's knight too early. Use the ...Na6 main line diagram.
Why does Black play ...h6 against Bg5?
...h6 asks the bishop to decide and may prepare ...g5 or simply remove the pin. Use the ...h6 bishop question diagram.
What is Black's ...c5 counter?
...c5 attacks White's broad centre immediately and can transpose into Benoni-style or Averbakh-specific structures. Use the ...c5 counter diagram.
What happens after ...c5 and d5?
After ...c5 and d5, White gains space while Black seeks counterplay with ...e6, ...Re8, ...a6 or piece pressure. Use the ...c5 and d5 diagram.
What is Black's ...Qe8 idea?
...Qe8 supports ...e5, ...h6, ...Nh5 or kingside pressure while keeping central tension. Use the ...Qe8 pressure diagram.
What is Black's ...Nbd7 idea?
...Nbd7 develops solidly, supports ...c6 or ...e5, and keeps Black's position flexible. Use the ...Nbd7 and ...c6 diagram.
Why does Black sometimes delay ...e5?
Black may delay ...e5 because Bg5 and White's centre make the timing of central breaks more delicate. Use the Replay Lab.
Which Black reply is most practical?
...Na6 and ...c5 are very practical because they create immediate questions for White's centre. Use the Adviser.
Plans for White
How should White play the Averbakh centre?
White should keep the centre strong, decide whether to advance d5, and use Bg5 to make Black's counterplay less smooth. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
When should White play f4?
White plays f4 when the centre is stable and White wants kingside space or control over e5. Use the ...Qe8 pressure diagram.
When should White play d5?
White plays d5 when closing the centre restricts Black and supports a space advantage. Use the ...c5 and d5 diagram.
When should White retreat Bg5 to e3?
White retreats to e3 after ...h6 when the bishop supports d4, c5 and Qd2 plans. Use the ...h6 bishop question diagram.
When should White play h4?
White plays h4 when Black's kingside has been weakened or when White wants to start a direct pawn storm. Use the Replay Lab's h-pawn games.
When should White castle kingside?
White castles kingside when the centre is stable and Black's kingside pawn storm is not a major danger. Use the Adviser with problem set to king safety.
What is White's biggest mistake in the Averbakh?
White's biggest mistake is playing Bg5 but then allowing Black's ...c5 or ...e5 counterplay without a clear response. Use the Replay Lab.
How should White study the Averbakh?
White should learn one ...Na6 game, one ...h6 game, one ...c5 game and one ...Qe8 or ...Nbd7 game. Use the Replay Lab optgroups.
Plans for Black
How should Black choose against the Averbakh?
Black should choose a clear plan: ...Na6 for flexibility, ...h6 to question the bishop, ...c5 for central counterplay, or ...Nbd7/...Qe8 for controlled development. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
When should Black play ...Na6?
Black plays ...Na6 when they want to keep options open and prepare ...c5, ...Nc5 or ...e5 without forcing the structure too soon. Use the ...Na6 main line diagram.
When should Black play ...h6?
Black plays ...h6 when they want to remove the Bg5 pressure and ask whether White's bishop belongs on e3 or h4. Use the ...h6 bishop question diagram.
When should Black play ...c5?
Black plays ...c5 when they want immediate pressure on White's centre and are ready for d5 or dxc5 structures. Use the ...c5 counter diagram.
When should Black play ...e5?
...e5 is best when Black can challenge the centre without giving White a comfortable d5 bind. Use the Replay Lab's ...e5/d5 group.
What is Black's biggest mistake in the Averbakh?
Black's biggest mistake is making slow King's Indian moves while Bg5 and White's centre restrict all counterplay. Use the Adviser with problem set to counterplay.
How should Black study the Averbakh?
Black should study one ...Na6 model, one ...h6 model, one ...c5 model and one successful central-break model. Use the Replay Lab.
Can Black transpose from the Averbakh to Classical lines?
Yes. If White later plays Nf3 and the centre locks, some positions can resemble Classical or Petrosian structures. Use the Branch Map.
Replay Lab and model games
Which Averbakh replay should I watch first?
Start with Bareev vs Gelfand for a deep ...Na6 and h-pawn struggle, then compare Ivanchuk vs Topalov for White's attacking technique. Use the Replay Lab selector.
Which replay shows ...Na6 systems?
Bareev vs Gelfand, Ivanchuk vs Topalov, Khalifman vs Kasimdzhanov, Ivanchuk vs Radjabov, Potkin vs Grischuk, Gelfand vs Grischuk and other supplied games show ...Na6 structures. Use the ...Na6 replay groups.
Which replay shows ...h6 systems?
Bareev vs Bologan, Gelfand vs Polgar, Ponomariov vs Grischuk, Mamedyarov vs Bologan and Ivanchuk vs Bologan show ...h6 structures. Use the ...h6 replay group.
Which replay shows ...c5 systems?
Gelfand vs Polgar, Ivanchuk vs Radjabov, Gelfand vs Ding Liren, Wang Hao vs Radjabov, Carlsen vs Van Wely and Mamedyarov vs Topalov show ...c5 structures. Use the ...c5 replay groups.
Which replay shows White attacking with h-pawns?
Bareev vs Gelfand, Ivanchuk vs Topalov and Gelfand vs Polgar show h-pawn attacking themes. Use the h-pawn replay groups.
Which replay shows Black winning?
Bareev vs Gelfand, Potkin vs Grischuk and Ponomariov vs Grischuk show Black resources in the supplied set. Use the Black-result replay groups.
Which replay is best for White players?
Ivanchuk vs Topalov, Gelfand vs Svidler, Khalifman vs Kasimdzhanov, Bareev vs Bologan, Gelfand vs Polgar, Ivanchuk vs Radjabov, Mamedyarov vs Almasi, Carlsen vs Van Wely and Gelfand vs Ding Liren show White resources. Use the White-result replay groups.
Should I study every Averbakh replay?
No. Start with one ...Na6 game, one ...h6 game, one ...c5 game and one Black counterplay win. Use the Replay Lab optgroups.
Practical repertoire choices
Should White play the Averbakh Variation?
White should play the Averbakh if they want a flexible King's Indian weapon based on Bg5 pressure rather than the most theoretical Classical main lines. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
Should Black fear the Averbakh Variation?
Black should respect it but not fear it. The key is choosing a timely ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5 or ...e5 plan. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
Is the Averbakh more positional than the Sämisch?
Usually yes. The Averbakh uses Be2 and Bg5 pressure, while the Sämisch uses f3 and more direct centre support. Use the Branch Map.
Is the Averbakh related to the Petrosian Variation?
Yes. If White closes with d5 early, some Averbakh positions can resemble Petrosian restraint structures. Use the Branch Map.
Is the Averbakh good in rapid and blitz?
Yes, because it asks Black practical questions without requiring White to memorize the deepest Mar del Plata lines. Use the Replay Lab's rapid and blitz examples.
What should I study after this page?
After this page, study the Classical Variation, Petrosian Variation, Sämisch Variation, Four Pawns Attack and Fianchetto Variation. Use the Branch Map links.
How should I use this page for training?
Use one diagram to learn the Bg5 idea, one Adviser recommendation to choose a plan, and one Replay Lab group to see that plan in action. Use the Adviser first.
What is the fastest way to learn the Averbakh?
Learn the start position, then compare Black's ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5 and ...Nbd7 replies. Use the diagram grid first.
Next step
Use this page as the dedicated Averbakh Variation lab. Start with Be2 and Bg5, then compare ...Na6, ...h6, ...c5, d5, ...Qe8 and ...Nbd7 in the Replay Lab.
Want to connect this opening with wider opening principles?
Study opening principles with practical examples
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