Averbakh Variation, Main Line

This line arises from the older 6...c5 reply to the Averbakh. After 7. d5 e6, Black attacks the d5-pawn at once, aiming for a Modern Benoni structure in which the g7-bishop's diagonal stays clear and the queenside majority supports ...b5. White has kept the g1-knight at home, so 8. Qd2, by far the most common move, supports the g5-bishop and keeps dxe6 available. 8. Nf3 is the main alternative. Engines consider the position roughly balanced, though White scores well in practice.