12. Averbakh System with 6.Bg5 (Counterplay with c5 or h6)
In the Averbakh System White develops the Bishop to g5 to hinder the ...e5 push. Black responds with 6...c5 and 7...h6, transposing into a favorable Benoni structure with active counterplay along the open e-file.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5 c5 7.d5 h6 8.Be3 e6 9.Qd2 exd5 10.exd5 Kh7 11.h3 Re8 12.Bd3
Move by move
- 1.d4 – White occupies the center with the Queen's pawn: it controls e5 and c5 and paves the way for the c1 Bishop and the Queen.
- 1...Nf6 – Black develops the Knight and controls e4 and d5: it prevents an immediate 2.e4 and prepares the King's Indian setup.
- 2.c4 – White gains central space with the c-pawn: it controls d5 and prepares Knight development to c3.
- 2...g6 – The signature move of the King's Indian: Black prepares the fianchetto of the Bishop on g7 to target the center from afar.
- 3.Nc3 – White develops the Knight toward the center: it protects d5 and prepares full central conquest with e2-e4.
- 3...Bg7 – The Bishop takes position on the long h8-a1 diagonal: it controls the central d4 and e5 light squares and shields the King.
- 4.e4 – White sets up the classical center with the d4 and e4 pawns: it controls plenty of space but provides a clear target for Black's counterplay.
- 4...d6 – Black restrains White's e4-e5 advance, protects the central dark squares, and prepares the thematic ...e5 counter-strike.
- 5.Be2 – Quiet bishop development delaying the choice between Nf3 and Be3, maintaining maximum central flexibility.
- 5...O-O – Black completes castling before setting the central counter-strategy into motion.
- 6.Bg5 – Averbakh System: the Bishop develops to g5 to pin the f6 Knight and discourage the classic ...e5 push.
- 6...c5 – The thematic response against Averbakh: Black strikes from the flank with ...c5, transposing to a Benoni structure.
- 7.d5 – White accepts the challenge and pushes d5 gaining space, but opening diagonals for Black's minor pieces.
- 7...h6 – Black questions the g5 Bishop to clarify kingside intentions before opening the center.
- 8.Be3 – The Bishop retreats to e3 where it guards d4 and supports future Queen battery operations on d2.
- 8...e6 – Black immediately undermines d5 to open the e-file and activate the f8 Rook against White's center.
- 9.Qd2 – The White Queen forms an attacking battery with the e3 Bishop, eyeing the unprotected h6 pawn.
- 9...exd5 – Black captures on d5 before defending h6, dynamically opening the central e-file.
- 10.exd5 – White recaptures with the e-pawn to maintain the pawn chain and open the diagonal for the e2 Bishop.
- 10...Kh7 – The King steps to h7, solidly defending the h6 pawn and sidestepping threats from White's battery.
- 11.h3 – White plays h3 to permanently prevent annoying ...Ng4 jumps against the e3 Bishop.
- 11...Re8 – The Rook seizes the open e-file, targeting the e3 Bishop and tying White's King to the center.
- 12.Bd3 – The Bishop repositions to d3 to protect central squares and prepare the Knight's emergence on e2.
How to exploit the position
Black has pushed back White's Bishop with ...h6 and Kh7, opening the central e-file. The resulting Benoni structure offers Black dynamic play against d5 and e4.
- Develop the b8 Knight to d7 and maneuver it toward e5 or c5 to occupy strong central squares.
- Push ...a6 and ...b5 to activate the queenside and undermine White's c4 pawn.
- Exploit the open e-file with the Rook: the e3 Bishop is pinned against the King until White castles.
- Bring the light-squared Bishop to f5 to trade off White's d3 defender and increase central control.
Master tips
Central reaction against the Averbakh System
When White's Bishop moves to g5 to stop ...e5, strike immediately with ...c5! After d5, the game turns into a favorable Benoni structure.