The Averbakh Variation, Nc6 Defense is a variation of the King's Indian Defense, catalogued as ECO E73. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.
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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The Averbakh Variation, Nc6 Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 Nc6. It is a variation of the King's Indian Defense and is catalogued as ECO E73.
The Averbakh Variation, Nc6 Defense is ECO E73. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 Nc6 at +0.50 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.