The Averbakh System, where white expands with the move c4, closely resembles the King’s Indian, and can put black in serious trouble if he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
For an introduction to the Modern Defense, watch this video on the basics: https://youtu.be/slNeLTit2J8
Having an off-beat response can be very advantageous, and the Averbakh System is exactly that when it comes to fighting the Modern Defense. It doesn’t allow black to play in his usual hyper-modern style and it leads to very complex positions that not too many 1…g6 players know well.
Th structures is features closely resemble the King’s Indian Defense, and, in fact, the main move transposes into it directly, so it’s vital for the defending side to understand the possible transpositions, as well as the main lines of the KID. The second most common position the Averbakh System transposes to is the Benoni, where black has a weakness on d6. Both of these offer favorable positions for white, with white having more space and easier attacking plans.
After the opening moves:
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3, we have entered the opening. White expands on the queenside, creating a d4 opening pawn structure, and black will have to combine the ideas of the Modern Defense and of several d4 opening defenses. Firstly, the common break – c5, which black aims for in most variations of the Modern, doesn’t quite work here, and white is slightly better after it. Therefore, black has to adapt to the new structure and leave the normal Modern behind! Already a small victory for white!
There are four moves black could choose from here:
4…Nf6 Transposing to the King’s Indian Defense,
Normal Variation
4…Nd7 Transposing to the King’s Indian Defense,
Orthodox Variation
4…e5 is the best and the most common move. It gives black most chances, and it’s the only move which equalizes with correct play and doesn’t transpose either. This should be your only response!
4…Nc6 Kotov Variation. This move gives white an option to take up a lot of space with 5. d5! Even though it’s playable, this move will require precision and a deep understanding from black if he wishes to stay in the game. I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s very complex, and it doesn’t offer that much in return.
#chess #moderndefense #chessopenings