Fianchetto Variation, Kavalek Defense
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4g6
- 3.Nf3Bg7
- 4.g3O-O
- 5.Bg2d6
- 6.O-Oc6
- 7.Nc3Qa5
808 games
A Fianchetto King's Indian sideline in which Black plays 6...c6 and 7...Qa5, bringing the queen to the a5-e1 diagonal early to pressure the c3-knight.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Kavalek Defense
The Kavalek Defense is a sideline of the Fianchetto Variation. Black combines 6...c6 with an early 7...Qa5, putting the queen on the a5-e1 diagonal, where it bears on the knight on c3. The most common reply is 8. e4, which occupies the center. The main alternatives are 8. h3 and 8. Bd2, the latter blocking the diagonal. Engines give White a slight edge, although Black has scored marginally better in online games of this uncommon line.