King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Modern Defense

Chess players typically start the game by moving pawns or knights. However, the move d4 by white occupies the center and controls more space on the board. Additionally, it allows the queen side bishop and the queen to freely develop. This move is commonly played in several chess openings and sets the stage for a strong attack or a positional advantage.

Black's move Nf6 mirrors white's central d-pawn with a knight, controlling the center and preparing to challenge white's pawn later on. Additionally, this move allows Black to develop a piece while maintaining flexibility in their pawn structure. The knight on f6 also prepares to support Black's e5 pawn push if possible, or to jump to g4 in some variations, putting pressure on white's position. Nf6 is a flexible move that can be played in many different openings.

White plays c4 to gain further control of the central squares, primarily d5 and e5. This move puts pressure on Black's knight on f6, making it harder for Black to immediately challenge white's control of the center. Additionally, c4 prepares to develop white's pieces, such as the knight on c3 or the bishop on b2, to active squares. Finally, this move opens up diagonals for the queen and the bishop on c1, contributing to White's strategic plans.

In the King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Modern Defense, Black plays g6 to prepare for a fianchetto of their king side bishop, which can later control the central dark squares and target white's pawn structure. The move g6 also supports the knight on f6, making it harder for white to push pawns to e5 or d5. Additionally, the move g6 can be used to prevent white's bishop on c1 from pinning Black's knight on f6 to their queen, which could be dangerous for Black. In sum, Black's move g6 is a flexible option that allows for different plans in various positions.

White's move Nc3 aims to develop a piece, control the center and prepare to castle kingside. By placing the knight on an active square, white can support their center pawns and put pressure on Black's position. Additionally, Nc3 prepares to develop the bishop on f1, which can be played to g2 or e2 depending on the situation. This move also avoids a potential trap where Black could play e5, forking white's knight and bishop on c4. Nc3 is a natural move in many chess openings and fits well with the opening strategy of controlling and developing the pieces.

In response to Nc3, Black plays Bg7, which develops a piece and completes the fianchetto setup. The bishop is now on the longest diagonal, putting pressure on white's pawn structure and controlling the central light squares. By placing the bishop on g7, Black also supports their knight on f6, which cannot be harassed by white's bishop on c4. Additionally, this move prepares to castle kingside, which is a common plan for Black in many chess openings. Bg7 is a flexible move that allows for different strategies depending on the situation.

In the King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Modern Defense, White plays e4 to advance their central pawn and control more space on the board. This move aims to break up Black's pawn structure in the center, making it harder for Black to push their pawns forward. Additionally, e4 opens up lines for white's pieces, especially the bishop on c1 and the queen. This move is often played to create chances for a kingside attack, weakening Black's position and exposing their king. However, playing e4 can also be risky as it can leave white vulnerable on the light squares around their king.

In response to e4 by White, Black plays d6 to solidify their position and control the central square e5. This move helps to maintain Black's pawn structure, preventing it from becoming too weak due to an eventual e5 push by white. Additionally, d6 enables Black's dark squared bishop to develop to g4, exchanging it for white's knight on f3, which could be a strong defender in an eventual kingside attack. The move d6 is a flexible move that fits well with Black's strategy of playing defensively while preparing for counter-attacks.

White's move Be2 develops the bishop and prepares to castle kingside. This move also defends the pawn on d3, making it harder for Black to attack it with their bishop on g4. Additionally, Be2 can open up lines for white's rook by moving the bishop off of its initial square. This can be useful for white in achieving control of the central and queenside areas of the board. Finally, by playing Be2, white is avoiding a potential pin along the a2-g8 diagonal in some variations where Black plays Bg4.

In the King's Indian Defense: Averbakh Variation, Modern Defense, Black plays O-O to castle kingside and bring their king to safety. This move also connects the rooks, which can be useful for Black in coordinating their pieces and preparing for potential attacks. Furthermore, castling kingside can open up lines for Black's central pawns, which can be pushed forward to challenge white's pawn structure. Finally, by castling kingside, Black is preparing for an eventual attack on the queenside, which is a common plan in the King's Indian Defense.

White's move Bg5 pins the knight on f6 and forces Black to make a decision about how to respond. Capturing on g5 with the pawn or the bishop can both have drawbacks, leading to a weakened pawn structure or loss of a valuable piece. Additionally, Bg5 puts pressure on Black's position, threatening to trade off their bishop or knight for white's powerful bishop. This move also prepares to double the pawns on the f-file, which can be used to open up lines for the rook in some situations. Finally, Bg5 can be useful for white in controlling the dark squares around Black's king and preparing for an attack.

In response to Bg5 by White, Black plays Na6 to avoid the pin on the knight on f6 and to prepare to exchange it for white's bishop on c4. This move can also support Black's central d5 pawn push, by putting pressure on white's pawn on c4 which is defending the d5 square. This move also prepares for the possibility of a later b5 push, which could open up lines for Black's queen and put pressure on white's queenside. By playing Na6, Black is maintaining flexibility and preparing to challenge white's position in the center and on the queenside.