Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Modern Defense

Averbakh Variation, Pseudo-Sämisch

A42positional

  1. 1.d4g6
  2. 2.c4Bg7
  3. 3.e4d6
  4. 4.Be3Nf6
  5. 5.f3
982 games52%45%

A line of the Modern Defense's Averbakh System in which White props up e4 with f3 in Sämisch style, before Nc3, giving a King's Indian-type structure.

Train it in Theoria

About the Pseudo-Sämisch

This branch of the Averbakh System is reached through 1. d4 and is filed under ECO A42. White supports the e4-pawn with 5. f3, as in the Sämisch King's Indian, but Be3 is already played and the queen's knight is still on b1. Black most often castles with 5...O-O, while 5...c6 and 5...Nbd7 are much rarer. Engines rate the position as roughly balanced, and White scores slightly better in practice.

Popular continuations