The Modernized King's Indian - Averbakh Variation - by Boekelman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Averbakh variation against the King's Indian
Defense (KID). Who would not want to have a variation against the KID that
keeps White's position completely under control, that is positional in nature
and that stays away from dark and murky waters or messy tactical situations?
Many players like to play a variation against the KID that bears the hallmark of
strong grandmasters and has stood the test of time. This book examines such
variation with a repertoire for White and an in-depth analysis of all of
Black's responses.

The Averbakh variation represents a shift in White's approach to the fight against
the KID. Rather than focusing solely on the queenside while accepting a certain
danger of being checkmated on the other side of the board, as it happens in the
KID in many lines, White uses a strategy of positional control, in which he
uses the KID in a calm, positional way. Initially, the character of the battle
is indeed relatively calm and positional, but not too calm to land in
near-equal positions immediately. White's development schedules follow
strategic logic. In the following parts of the game, White generally retains
his first mover advantage, in positions where he retains control.

Repertoire books on the KID start from Black's point of view, overestimating Black's
chances and downplaying White's options and plans. In my opinion, that requires
an analytical response from White's point of view. In this book, I will show
that, using recent theoretical developments and my own novelties and analyses,
White has a serious chance to come out of the opening with a long-term plus.

Review Quotes

Two decades ago, the odds were stacked against a non-FIDE titled player writing a
decent opening book, but times have changed with the advent of strong computer
engines and other electronic resources. A look at Boekelman's lengthy bibliography
gives an idea of the tools he worked which also included testing the Averbakh
against the noted KID expert Mark Hebden in a number of online games. If you
are looking for a flexible and non-trendy answer to the King's Indian and open
1.d4 or 1.c4 this could be the book for you!

IM John Donaldson, March 2022.