19 May 03
People shouldn't listen to what "theory" or international GM's say. The Old Benoni was a weapon of World Champion Tigran Petrosian. If you can sit in cramped and closed positions and slowly, ever so slowly break out, then play it. At any of our level, it's foolish to down any opening based on what theorists say. Heck, I play 1. b3 and cream people with it! 😀
20 May 03
Originally posted by !~TONY~!I've checked with <www.chessgames.com>, but it seems that GM Tigran Petrosian didn't really play the Old Benoni opening a lot. At least, the ECO codes or the classification of the openings he played did not correspond to that of the Old Benoni. The website did not classify them as "Old Benoni".
People shouldn't listen to what "theory" or international GM's say. The Old Benoni was a weapon of World Champion Tigran Petrosian. If you can sit in cramped and closed positions and slowly, ever so slowly break out, then play it. At any of our level, it's foolish to down any opening based on what theorists say. Heck, I play 1. b3 and cream people with it! 😀
Can someone enlighten me on this ?
20 May 03
Originally posted by !~TONY~!that's funny...you just said people shouldn't listen to what GMs say but then you support the old Benoni by citing a GM's use of it!!
People shouldn't listen to what "theory" or international GM's say. The Old Benoni was a weapon of World Champion Tigran Petrosian. If you can sit in cramped and closed positions and slowly, ever so slowly break out, then play it. At any of our level, it's foolish to down any opening based on what theorists say. Heck, I play 1. b3 and cream people with it! 😀
21 May 03
Originally posted by !~TONY~!My point is this: if you are going to spend time and effort learning an opening, it might as well be one that doesn't make your opponent breathe a sigh of relief! It might as well be one that is very solid, or very sharp/dangerous. You may think surprise value is very important but sometimes it doesn't matter too much if the defense has little bite, e.g. 1.e4 d5 2. exd Qxd5 3.Nc3... (probably better is 2...Nf6)
Exactly! People shun it and then a GM shows it's playable! Any opening is playable at our level, face it. 😀
Even at "our level" it's nice to pick a defense which will equalize and develop pieces well...one that will cause white to sweat a little.
21 May 03
1 edit
Whitedisc,I have an 'annofritzed' database of Petrosjan's games.If you would like a can e-mail it to you.Or to anyone else who is intrested.Though I don't know if there are any Old Benoni games in it.People intrested send an email to: jokkeaelst@msn.com.I will then reply and attach the database.Note: you will need winrar to open it and chessbase to read it.
22 May 03
Originally posted by PhlabibitYou can't compare a d4-opening with an e4-opening!Not that I'm a fan of the Benoni,but d4 and e4 are completely different openingstyles.
French Defense (C00)
Years covered: 1834 to 2003
Overall record:
White wins 41.9%
Black wins 31.8%
Draws 26.2%
Years covered: 1902 to 2003
Overall record:
White wins 49.0%
Black wins 26.4%
Draws 24.5%
Seems pretty solid, for white.
😉
23 May 03
Originally posted by SirLoseALotI must have had my head on backwards. 😕 This is the line I was thinking of.
You can't compare a d4-opening with an e4-opening!Not that I'm a fan of the Benoni,but d4 and e4 are completely different openingstyles.
Queen's pawn game
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
Years covered: 1883 to 2003
Overall record:
White wins 35.6%
Black wins 25.2%
Draws 39.2%
Although it isn't as strong for black it gives white less of a winning chance.... But if Black is playing to WIN it's the Old Benoni.
23 May 03
Originally posted by PhlabibitAh!Ok🙄
I must have had my head on backwards. 😕 This is the line I was thinking of.
Queen's pawn game
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6
Years covered: 1883 to 2003
Overall record:
White wins 35.6%
Black wins 25.2%
Draws 39.2%
Although it isn't as strong for black it gives white less of a winning chance.... But if Black is playing to WIN it's the Old Benoni.