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  3. /King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation (E73)
E73

King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3

The Classical System is the main line of the King's Indian. White develops naturally and the battle centres on whether Black can successfully execute the ...e5 break. The resulting middlegames feature some of the most dramatic attacking play in chess.

History & Notable Players

The Classical KID has produced some of the most famous games in history, including many Kasparov brilliancies.

Top Players in this Opening

Erigaisi,Arjun39 gamesFirouzja,Alireza25 gamesRapport,R20 gamesGrischuk,A17 gamesKamsky,G17 gamesPraggnanandhaa,R14 gamesNakamura,Hi13 gamesCarlsen,M12 gamesGelfand, Boris12 gamesRadjabov,T11 games

Related Openings

E70 - King's Indian Defense: Kramer Variation267E71 - King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation253E72 - King's Indian Defense: Pomar System51E74 - King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Benoni Defense87E75 - King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Main Line46E76 - King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack55E77 - King's Indian Defense: Six Pawns Attack21E78 - King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Fluid Attack3E79 - King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Exchange Variation15

Best Games

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13th Norway Armageddon 2025
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Erigaisi,Arjun vs Carlsen,M1-0
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Martirosyan,Haik M. vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
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Xiong,Jeffery vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
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Aronian,L vs Theodorou,Nikolas0-1
44th Olympiad 2022 2022
Al Hosani,Omran vs Gukesh,D0-1
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