Benoni?

Index of variations

Early Bg5 with e2-e3 (A61) or e2-e4 (A71)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bg5 (A61)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bf4 (A61)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Bg5 (A71)

"Nimzovich Pirouette" Nf3-d2-c4 (A61)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.Nc4

Fianchetto Systems (A62-A64)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0

The Bd3, Nge2 Variation (A65)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0

Mikenas Attack (A66)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.e5

Four Pawns Attack (A68)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3

Taimanov Variation 8.Bb5+ (A67)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+

Modern Line with Nf3 and h2-h3 (A70)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3

Classical (A75)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 a6 8.a4 Bg4!

Classical (A79)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4

Early Bg5 with e2-e3 (A61) or with e2-e4 (A71)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Bg5



With this natural move White generally plans to develop along the schemes of the Classical Variation (e4, Be2, Nd2, 0-0, etc...) with the added strength of an active queen's bishop. The drawback of this setup lies exactly in its strength: the annoying Bg5 can be neutralised with the typical manoeuver ...h6, ...g5 and Nh5xBg3. This is generally Black's safest course of action.
A) White plays e2-e3 (A61) see Kempinski,R - Li Shilong 1-0
B) White plays e2-e4 (A71) see Alburt,L - Tukmakov,V 0-1
C) Black allows Bb5+ see CBM 50 - 8.Lg5 ...12.e5 Line

continued....

7.Bf4 A61



This is another tricky challenge to the Modern Benoni. The pressure on d6 coupled with a disturbing queen check on a4 set up complicated problems. Black has two main responses, 7...Bg7, which allows the complications arising from 8.Qa4+, and 7...a6! (our recommendation), preventing the dreaded check while providing a similar type of strategical struggle like in several other important lines (see Yakovich,Y - Filippov,V 1-0).

"Nimzovich Pirouette" Nf3-d2-c4 (A61)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 (another, simpler way to meet the pirouette is 7...Nbd7 8.Nc4 Nb6 see Barbero,G - Schneider,A 1-0) 8.Nc4



This natural continuation puts the pawn d6 under immediate pressure. Nevertheless, Black has fully adequate responses available.

8...0-0, and now White has two equally worthy options: A) 9.Bf4 and B) Bg5.
A) 9.Bf4 Donner,J - Planinc,A 0-1
B) 9.Bg5 (the more subtle approach, when the bishop hunt with h7-h6 and g6-g5 is far less appealing than usual) Ehlvest,J - Ionescu,C ½-½

Fianchetto Systems A62 A63 A64

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0



This rock-solid approach does not create immediate problems for Black. Nonetheless it provides Black a serious long-term challenge about how to generate active play, which is in itself serious concern for the Benoni player, who by definition precisely strives for that.

Compared to many other lines, White's ambition to break through with e4-e5 takes longer to develop, but with P/d5 soundly supported by B/g2, it is that much more dangerous. In compensation, Black enjoys more manoeuvering room on the queen side, thanks to the absence of White's light square bishop from diagonal f1-a6. From the diagram position Black again has two basic methods of completing his queen side development:
A) Setups involving ...Na6-c7; Mikhalevski,V - Solozhenkin,E 1-0
B) Setups involving ...Nbd7. Karpov,A - Adianto,U ½-½, Nikolic,P - Reinderman,D 1-0

But then it is possible to somehow sidestep this basic problem after the flexible 9...Re8. After which White has two main alternatives:
1) 10.Nd2 Burmakin,V - Degraeve,J 0-1 (recommendation: 10...b6!?);
2) 10.Bf4 Volkov,S - Bratchenko,A 0-1 (recommendation: 10...a6 11.a4 Ne4!?).

The Bd3, Nge2 Variation (A65)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0



The main characteristic of this set-up is the deployment of White's king knight to e2 instead of the usual f3. In doing so, the first player renounces the Nimzovich pirouette which is so important in many other lines in favour of a more flexible set-up, based on a strongly defended e4 point (especially if f2-f3 is played). White has several strategic ideas at his disposal. First, he does have a long-term central and kingside attacking plan with f2-f4, followed by the e4-e5 pawn sacrifice described above. Or he can aim at the b2-b4 push, taking away Black's usual initiative in that sector, before turning back his attention to the other side if necessary.
Our recommended best line for Black involves ...Na6, as in Tunik,G - Ibragimov,I 0-1 and Pachman,L - Nun,J 0-1.
This is not to say that set-ups involving ...Nbd7 are unplayable. It is actually just a matter of taste as Black is doing fine in all those lines (see the sample gameHaik,A - Hebert,J 0-1).

Mikenas Attack (A66)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 (Pawn Storm Variation) Bg7 8.e5



This ambitious pawn thrust favored by the lithuanian GM Vladas Mikenas has had his share of success in the past, yet now has been proven insufficient to provide serious problems for Black. He must play with care, but the correct moves are quite logical and the reward is often more than equality.

For a detailed example on how to meet this line see Delrieu - Teboul,R 0-1.

Four Pawns Attack (A68)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3

This simple developing move, to be followed up with 9.Be2 and hopefully 10.e5, is much less popular than the Taimanov Variation (8.Bb5+). However, it is still an important line because it can often arise from the King's Indian Defence (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f4 0-0 6.Nf3 c5 7.d5 e6 8.Be2 exd5 9.cxd5).
Now after 8...0-0 9.Be2



Black has two well-trodden theoretical paths,
A) 9...Re8 10.e5 which produces a complex tactical battle where White sacrifices a pawn for open lines and excellent attacking chances, and
B) 9...Bg4! which we strongly recommend. As is often the case with ...Bg4, this move solves Black's developing problems at the small cost of surrendering the bishop pair and avoids mind-boggling complications - Cebalo,M - Krstic,U 0-1.

Taimanov Variation 8.Bb5+ A67

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 (for 7...Nbd7, see Uday,P - Schrey,S 0-1) 8.Bb5+

This move coupled with 7.f4 undoubtedly provides one of the most serious challenges to the Modern Benoni player. The disturbing b5 check creates congestion in Black's camp, and the time won gives White more freedom to build up around his central control and kingside space advantage. This is such a serious problem that many players only play the Benoni after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 when White cannot opt for the Taimanov variation anymore. Nonetheless there is no cause for despair. To every problem the Modern Benoni has a cure.

8... Nfd7



This is the only viable alternative, although 8...Nbd7 is a tricky line that has been tried at the highest level and is undoubtedly worth further investigation (seeSokolov,I - Topalov,V 1-0).
For the clearly weaker 8...Bd7 see Hertneck,G - Vlahopoulos,V 1-0 .
Now another point of White's play is seen - after the forthcoming Bb5 retreat to c4, d3 or e2 and a return of the black knight to f6 - the first player would have lost one tempo (having played his bishop twice) and Black two (the knight returning to its original square) thus amounting to a one tempo gain for White.

And now White has a wide choice, but on all reasonable moves except 9.Nf3 we recommend ...Qh4+.

a) 9.a4 Qh4+!? Ragnarsson,J - Olafsson,H 0-1

b) 9.Nf3. In this case we recommend the logical queen side expansion by ...a6 and ...b5. Schipkov,B - Szalanczy,E 1-0

c) 9.Be2 Qh4+!? Giorgadze,G - Foisor,O 1-0

d) 9.Bd3 Qh4+!? Schwarz,P - Pigusov,E 0-1

Modern Line with Nf3 and h2-h3 (A70)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3



This set-up has become popular in the last few years and like most new weapons has caused Black some worries. That is easily understandable. Black seems to have a wide choice of replies, but most of them are too slow and allow White to fulfill his strategic agenda. However, the main response - 9...b5! - gives good chances for equal and dynamic play (winning chances!). In this respect the great expert for Black is Bulgarian superstar Veselin Topalov whose games and ideas are worth a close look.

9...b5!
This dynamic response is tactically possible because the white king has remained one move too long in the center, compared with the line involving Be2 instead of Bd3 and h2-h3. Now White has to deal with a queen check on a5 and pins on the e-file when considering how to take pawn b5.

A) 10.Bxb5 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Qa5+ 12.Nfd2 Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0-0 Nb6 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Nxc8 Raxc8 with sufficient compensation for the pawn Shipov,S - Velimirovic,D ½-½. Black is better developed, has strong pressure on the black long diagonal and more importantly excellent prospects of regaining the Pd5 in a not too distant future;
B)10.Nxb5 (the most challenging move, bringing up complicated play) 10...Re8! 11.Nd2 and now Black has two appealing choices, the safe 11...Nxd5 or the ambitious sacrificial line 11...Nxe4! CBM 63 - 7.h3 9...b5 19...Dd5!? Line, when after 12.Bxe4 Ba6 13.a4 Qa5 14.Nxd6 Nd7 Van Wely,L - Topalov,V 0-1 Black gets tremendous pressure on the white king and sure prospects of winning back some material. For lovers of active play this is hard to resist.

Classical A75

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 a6 8.a4.
Recommendation: 8...Bg4!



This excellent practical move is favored by several Modern Benoni experts such as Nick de Firmian and Lev Psakhis. With ...Bg4 Black solves his queenside development and freely and simply completes its mobilisation. The only drawback is that he is likely to have to concede the bishop pair after an eventual ...Bxf3, but in practice this has proven not to be a major factor. Ehlvest,J - De Firmian,N 0-1

Classical A79

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nd2

Starting the "Nimzovich pirouette" at this moment does have its points. It avoids lines where Black gets to solve easily his queen side development with ...Bg4!

7...Bg7 8.e4
(Black must also be ready for 8.Nc4, see "Nimzovich pirouette A61"😉
8...0-0 9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0



Now Black must deal with the usual queenside development problem. Until 1972, B) 10...Na6 was the preferred choice. On c7 the knight supports b7-b5 and queenside play. But then Fischer came along and revived A) 10...Nbd7 by using it successfully in his world championship match with Spassky. Since then White's play against Fischer's idea has been reinforced and consequently 10...Na6 has regained the lost ground. So for

A) 10...Nbd7 (with or without...a7-a6) followed by ...Ne5 and g6-g5 to maintain control over e5 see Levtchouk,G - Hebert,J 0-1, also see Polugaevsky,L - Nunn,J 0-1 for the idea ...Nh5 used by Fischer.

B) our recommendation, 10...Na6, intending ...Nc7, b7-b6 and Ba6, exchanging his light square bishop. In this line, Black develops easily and has no particular opening problems. See Ehlvest,J - Shliperman,I 1-0, Gyimesi,Z - Shliperman,I 0-1

there, this should be enough to thoroughly depress even the most ardent of students, i myself recommend the following 1....g6, 2....Bg7, 3....c5 against anything white wants to play although it means being familiar with the Dragon, the English in a strange reversed type of way and the Benoni, hopefully it will be beneficial to you resigningsoon - regards robbie.🙂

Bloody hell robbie 😲

i know its depressing isnt it!, but to be fair, its just cut n paste, cut n paste, try it out and crash n burn, crash n burn.🙂