Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack

The move 1. d4 aims to control the center of the board with the pawn and prepare for a possible attack on Black's position. By playing this way, White is also trying to develop their pieces and gain a positional advantage. The pawn on d4 is the backbone of this opening and it sets the stage for the game to unfold in a strategic manner.

The move 1... Nf6 aims to contest White's control of the center and prepare for Black's own counterattack. This move also allows Black's knight to develop to a better square and potentially support a future pawn advance. By putting pressure on White's pawn on d4, Black is trying to limit White's options and disrupt their plans. Additionally, the knight on f6 can participate in a variety of tactical or strategic manoeuvres throughout the game.

The move 2. c4 aims to further control the center and gain space with a pawn thrust. By advancing the pawn to c4, White is attacking Black's knight on f6 and forcing it to make a decision on where to move. This move also prepares for the development of the queen and bishop, and potentially leads to a more aggressive pawn chain with further pawn advances. Playing c4 can also restrict Black's options and force them to react to White's strategic ideas.

In the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack, the move 2... e6 aims to control the d5 square by placing a pawn on the same color as Black's light-squared bishop. This move also prepares for the development of Black's bishop to d6, which will put pressure on White's pawn on c4. By making this pawn move, Black is also preparing to potentially advance their pawn to d5 in the near future. e6 is a flexible move that allows Black to adapt to White's plans and ideas.

The move 3. Nf3 aims to develop the knight and control the center. By placing the knight on f3, White prepares for the possible future pawn advance to e4, which would further expand the control of the center and potentially open lines for their pieces. This knight also supports the pawn on d4 and prepares for the development of the light-squared bishop. Additionally, placing the knight on f3 can limit some of Black's tactical options, making it more difficult for them to carry out certain plans.

The move 3... c5 aims to challenge White's control over the center and create counterplay on the queenside. By advancing this pawn, Black is attacking White's pawn on d4, which can release some of the pressure White has been exerting on Black's position. This move also allows Black's queen's bishop to be developed more effectively, potentially attacking White's pawns on b2 and c4. c5 is a key move in many pawn structures that arise from the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Nimzo-Indian Defense, and it often leads to complex and dynamic positions with chances for both sides.

In the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack, the move 4. d5 aims to open the position and gain more space in the center. By advancing this pawn, White is attacking Black's pawn on c5 while also opening up lines for their queen and bishop. This move also aims to create potential weakness in Black's pawn structure on the queenside, which can be exploited in the later stages of the game. By playing d5, White is trying to gain control of the center and limit Black's counterplay on the queenside. However, this move can also come with risks, as it can create weaknesses in White's own position.

The move 4... exd5 allows Black to capture White's pawn and open up lines for their pieces. By taking on d5, Black can get rid of the central pawn and potentially disrupt White's pawn structure. This move also prepares for the development of Black's dark-squared bishop, typically to d6 or e7, where it can put pressure on White's pawn on c4 or participate in a kingside attack. Exchanging pawns on d5 can also further activate Black's pieces, allowing for more tactical possibilities. However, by capturing on d5, Black does give up some control over the center, which White may seek to take advantage of in the following moves.

The move 5. cxd5 aims to recapture Black's pawn and create a central pawn majority. By taking back on d5 with the c-pawn, White can establish a pawn chain with pawns on c4 and d5, which can control important central squares and restrict Black's piece mobility. Additionally, this move helps White develop their light-squared bishop, which can be fianchettoed to g2 to control the long diagonal or placed on the e2 square to support the central pawns. By capturing on d5, White can also potentially gain a spatial advantage and launch a kingside attack with their pieces. However, this move does also create a potential weakness on the c4 square.

In the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack, the move 5... d6 aims to support Black's pawn on e5 and prepare for the development of the light-squared bishop. By placing a pawn on d6, Black can potentially block the attack of White's bishop on g5 and limit some of White's tactical possibilities. This move also prepares for the possible advance of the pawn to d5, which would further assert Black's control of the center and open lines for their pieces. Additionally, d6 can provide a solid base for Black's pieces, especially their knights, which can be used to put pressure on White's central pawns. However, by playing d6, Black does also create a potential weakness on the e6 square.

The move 6. Nc3 aims to develop the knight and prepare for the possible future advance of the e4 pawn. By placing the knight on c3, White creates a threat of attacking Black's pawn on d5 with their pawn on e4. Additionally, this knight can be used to support the pawn chain on d4 and c4, while also preparing for central control and potential kingside attacks with the queen and bishop. The knight on c3 can also participate in tactical or strategic manoeuvres, including potential captures on d5 or b5. By playing Nc3, White is trying to coordinate their pieces and establish a flexible position that can adapt to Black's plans.

The move 6... g6 aims to develop the bishop and prepare for possible kingside attacks in the future. By playing g6, Black fianchettoes their bishop to g7, where it can potentially control the long diagonal or participate in a kingside assault. Additionally, this move can strengthen Black's pawn structure on the kingside and provide support for a potential future advance of the f-pawn. Furthermore, g6 can potentially limit some of White's tactical options involving pins or attacks on the h7 square. This move can also provide a solid base for Black's king, as it is shielded by pawns on g6 and h7. However, playing g6 can also create potential weaknesses on the light-squares, particularly the f6 square.

In the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack, the move 7. e4 aims to gain more space in the center and potentially open up lines for White's pieces. By playing e4, White is attacking Black's pawn on d5 and looking to establish a pawn chain that controls important central squares. This move can also prepare for the development of the light-squared bishop to e3, where it can support the central pawns or participate in potential kingside attacks. Additionally, e4 can potentially lead to the opening of the f-file and the activation of White's rook on f1. However, playing e4 can also create potential weaknesses in White's pawn structure, particularly if Black is able to mount a strong counterattack on the queenside or kingside.

The move 7... Bg7 aims to complete Black's kingside development and control important central squares. By placing the bishop on g7, Black targets White's pawn on e4 and adds more pressure to the central squares. This move also helps protect the pawn on d5 and strengthens Black's control over the light squares. Additionally, the bishop on g7 can potentially support a future pawn advance to f5 or participate in kingside attacks. By playing Bg7, Black aims to create a solid position and pressure White's central pawn chain. However, the bishop on g7 may also become a target for White's pieces in certain pawn structures, particularly if the pawn on e4 becomes a permanent feature of the position.

The move 8. Bg5 aims to develop the bishop and potentially launch an attack on the kingside. By placing the bishop on g5, White targets Black's pawn on f6 and potentially pins it to the knight on d7. This move can also prepare for the future exchange of Black's knight on f6, which may weaken Black's kingside pawn structure. Additionally, the bishop on g5 can potentially target the h6 square, putting pressure on Black's king position and limiting some of Black's tactical options. By playing Bg5, White is also creating a potential threat of exchanging the bishop for Black's knight on f6 and doubling Black's pawns. However, this move can also come with risks, as the bishop on g5 may become vulnerable to being attacked by Black's pawns or pieces.