The Averbakh Variation, Pseudo-Sämisch is a variation of the Modern Defense, catalogued as ECO A42. The line runs 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. f3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Modern Defense generally: Similar to the Pirc but more flexible. Black fianchettoes the king's bishop early.
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The Averbakh Variation, Pseudo-Sämisch goes 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. f3. It is a variation of the Modern Defense and is catalogued as ECO A42.
The Averbakh Variation, Pseudo-Sämisch is ECO A42. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Modern Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. f3 at +0.45 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 one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.