Averbakh Variation, Nc6 Defense
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4g6
- 3.Nc3Bg7
- 4.e4d6
- 5.Be2O-O
- 6.Bg5Nc6
400 games
A rarely played King's Indian Averbakh line in which Black meets the 6. Bg5 pin with 6...Nc6, eyeing d4; White usually chases the knight with d5.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Nc6 Defense
The Nc6 Defense answers the Averbakh pin with 6...Nc6. The move develops the queen's knight, puts pressure on d4 and supports a later ...e5. The knight is exposed to 7. d5, by far the most common reply, which gains time and space. 7. Qd2 and 7. Nf3 are the main alternatives. The line is an uncommon choice. Engines give White a slight edge, and White scores well in practice.