King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation (E74)

The Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E74. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the c-file.

On the King's Indian Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center, then counterattacks it.

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King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation — position after dxc5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5Be2O-O
6Bg5c5
7dxc5

ECO: E74

Stockfish: -0.02 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related King's Indian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation?

The Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E74.

What is the ECO code for the Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation?

The Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation is ECO E74. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.

Is the Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. dxc5 at -0.02 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense, Exchange Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the c-file.