1.d4...c5!?

This looks quite interesting.
Is it sound?

Yes its called the benoni

Refusing the pawn and advancing to d4 is I think the generally accepted line. If it hadn't been for that line I might have used it as an opening.

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
This looks quite interesting.
Is it sound?
[fen]rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/3P4/8/PPP1PPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1[/fen]

Originally posted by schakuhr
Yes. It's called the 'old benoni' but it usually transposes to the 'modern benoni' (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6).

There are some independent lines like 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 when the centre becomes completely blocked.

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
This looks quite interesting.
Is it sound?
[fen]rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/3P4/8/PPP1PPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1[/fen]

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
I forgot about the likely transposition to the Modern Benoni, to be honest, but thanks for the input.

Originally posted by schakuhr
Ofcourse you can play 2. e4 and transpose to your favourite morra gambit 😉

Originally posted by schakuhr
Ofcourse you can play 2. e4 and transpose to your favourite morra gambit 😉

How about the "Zilberments Anti-Benoni"?: 1 d4 c5 2 b4!??! I've played this in blitz a few times from the White side with rather poor results. 🙁

Unfortunately, I've never faced that one either. =P

Oooh squelbelch you disappoint me !
would you be forsaking one of your beauties ?

Anyway as schakuhr pointed out 1.d4 c5? is refuted by 2.e4!

So why not 1.d4 Nf6! offering white a chance to go wrong with 2.c4 (2...e5! and white is in trouble) then if 2.Nf3 you play c5,
and now if 3.c4 you have an interesting gambit (played by kasparov among others) cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d5 !? 6.exd5 Bc5 (Qxd5 is not recommended...)
and if 3.d5 then b5 gives a good game
or 3.dxc5 e6
I've tried to be as objective as can be 🙂

My last sentence was just to indicate my question marks shouldn't be taken too seriously... just a private joke for another mad gambiteer!

Search for it on YOUTUBE there is at least one good video you will see on it.

what about Benko Gambit ?...I think it can transpose to Benko as well...
What do you think about Benko ? I am thinking to employ it against d4 as a back-up opening in OTB...(on the other side, as I mainly play KID I think I need something more "drawish" and "solid"...but the rest are a bit dull with too much theory...Benko loos preatty simple to me...