22 May 09
1 edit
It's a defense I picked up and starting using without ever knowing what it was called, untill recently. I'm interested in variations, key points and things to lookout for.
I also would like to know if I should ditch this defense vs. (1. d4) in favor of a better one for beginners. To give you an idea of my skill level I'm generally rated in the mid-1300's on Yahoo chess.
The only advantages I have found is that it allows me to dictate play during the opening and... well.. I'm kind of used to reponding with (1...c5). But it also tends to leave me cramped.
I'm wondering if I just need to fine tune it or pick up another defense all together. I bought a book that covers the basics of the Sicilian and I've gotten pretty decent with it [for my level] vs. (1. e4).
Thank you for any advice.
22 May 09
Diskamyl, you seriously need to stop holding this guy to account for the actions of a small number of individuals. I'm just as angry about the human rights violations as you are, but don't take it out on him, you're making an ass out of yourself. Trust me.
To the OP: I'm in the process of writing something to help you as I use Benoni against d4 exclusively.
22 May 09
Originally posted by EladarLOL
diskamyl,
Why don't you challenge him OB so that he can put into practice your suggestion and see how things go.
Once in a blue moon I'll run into someone like him on the web. I usually just ignore them but I had to laugh when I read your response.
He's not worth getting into a twist over because that's what he's going for. Just skip past his posts and eventually a moderator will get to it like they did the last one.
But I do appreciate you speaking out.
22 May 09
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperThe usual move order in the Modern Benoni is 1...Nf6 followed by 2...c5. Sometimes, 1...g6, 2...Bg7, and 3...c5 transposes to the Benoni as well. Just my opinion, but I think learning this tricky defense is a bit ambitious for somebody of your playing strength. The more conventional 1...d5 might be a better fit for now. But if you insist, when playing a Modern Benoni from the Black side, you'll be trying to generate enough Q-side play so that White can't play the pawn push e5 and swing his pieces over for a K-side attack. Be prepared for lots of tactics. Another choice is to play a Czech Benoni where you put your center pawns on e5, d6, and c5. The position is completely closed, and you'll have to decide which side of the board to play on depending on what your opponent does. If you don't have access to any literature on this opening, google the name of the opening and you should get enough websites to show specific variations. Good luck.
It's a defense I picked up and starting using without ever knowing what it was called, untill recently. I'm interested in variations, key points and things to lookout for.
I also would like to know if I should ditch this defense vs. (1. d4) in favor of a better one for beginners. To give you an idea of my skill level I'm generally rated in the ...[text shortened]... 've gotten pretty decent with it [for my level] vs. (1. e4).
Thank you for any advice.
22 May 09
Hi,
1. d4 c5 doesn't necessarily end up as a Benoni unfortunately. White has to commit to seizing space in the centre with c4 and Black usually plays Nf6 first preventing e4.
To give you an idea of how it usually goes:
There are many options and White isn't obliged to play 6. e4 straightaway but it is a popular choice. As you can see, Black is preparing to play Bg7 when the bishop is well placed on the long diagonal. The Benoni is a very counter-attacking Black opening, where Black accepts an inferior pawn structure and the cramping of his queenside and centre by the d5 pawn. Black will usually first try to get in b5 gaining space on the queenside and denying the White knights the use of c4. This plan works nicely in conjunction with the fianchettoed bishop so White invariably tries to prevent b5 by playing a4. In my experience, there are times when Black cannot succeed in playing b5 for a long time and must turn his attention elsewhere however.
White will have a more free development, and will eventually try to achieve the e5 advance in the centre when it is advantageous. Usually this is hard to prevent and can be very uncomfortable for Black which is why Black will need to play very actively, but luckily the kings bishop keeps an eye on e5, perhaps with the help of a knight on d7. It is not an opening to play in a slow strategical manner! You may need to give up a pawn for active play - if this makes you uncomfortable, you shouldn't play the Benoni.
I like to get my inspiration from Tal, so take a look at this games collection: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1002444
For you specifically, playing the Sicilian and the Benoni should go nicely together as they are both highly tactical openings. At your level of play, I would recommend taking a look at some of the early deviations for White as your opponents are unlikely to know the opening well. Some deviations I've seen are: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5?! e6 when you will get the pawn back one way or another and White has given up on maintaining a strong centre, and 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. dxe6 fxe6 when again Black should be able to get a strong centre by playing d5 at an appropriate moment, and 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. Nxd5 Nxd5 6. Qxd5 d6 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. e4 Be6 9. Qd1 Be7 when Black has equalised - White is a long way from getting a piece to d5 which could easily just be exchanged anyway.
I can recommend Starting Out: Modern Benoni by Endre Vegh from Everman Chess as a good starting point for this opening as well. Let me know if you have any more specific questions, hope this helps.
22 May 09
agentreno,
After: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5?! e6
If white backs up is pawn on c5 with (4. b4) what are the specific weaknesses? I can see white has no piece development and far less control of the center. And his cluser of pawns on the Queen-side look a bit clumbsy.
But is there a particular, effective response or theme of play from this point?
22 May 09
1 edit
The post that was quoted here has been removedConsidering your attack is completely off-topic, I think the OP has stayed perfectly calm throughout this, to his credit.
You come across as rather foaming at the mouth.
So you don't think that armed conflict can ever be used to prevent further human rights abuses?
I used to have similar views to you when I was very young, & in an ideal world then yes - we'd all be pacifists living in prefect harmony while hugging trees. Unfortunately it doesn't work quite like that though...
Having said all this, the fabricated evidence that led to the Halliburton-funded Iraq conflict was a terrible violation of basic human principles.
****
Back on topic, I have this:
http://tinyurl.com/p2f563
& the book gives a decent breakdown of the main principles behind the Modern Benoni & is well worth a read.
22 May 09
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperhello again, okay so this situation is very similar to the Queen's gambit, which everyone knows is not really a gambit because if Black tries to keep the pawn his position gets into a total mess. Similarly here, if White is absolutely desperate to hold onto c5 with b4, I'd recommend:
agentreno,
After: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5?! e6
If white backs up is pawn on c5 with (4. b4) what are the specific weaknesses? I can see white has no piece development and far less control of the center. And his cluser of pawns on the Queen-side look a bit clumbsy.
But is there a particular, effective response or theme of play from this point?
After 4. b4 a5:
5. a3? misses the pin on the a-file axb4 when axb4?? Rxa1
5. bxa5 Bxc5 and White's pawns are a mess. Black will easily get the a5 pawn back (especially with the help of Nc6 if White tries 6. Bd2). Then in addition to the weak c4 and a2 pawns, Black has activated his rook on the a-file and has a lead in development to boot.
5. Bd2 axb4 6. Bxb4 when if Black wants the pawn back immediately, you could play 6. ... Bxc5 7. Bxc5 Qa5+ 8. Nd2 Qxc5 recovering the bishop, though 6. ... Nc6 looks pretty promising, developing quickly to exploit White's undeveloped state.
In short, 3. dxc5 was bad enough, but hanging on with 4. b4 as well is terrible and Black comes out on top. White's paid so little attention to the centre now that Black has the option of Ne4 at some point which also hits c5 as well. So you can see after 4. ... a5! it will be virtually impossible to keep the c5 pawn.
22 May 09
Originally posted by agentrenoWow. Thank you for taking the time to explain all of that.
hello again, okay so this situation is very similar to the Queen's gambit, which everyone knows is not really a gambit because if Black tries to keep the pawn his position gets into a total mess. Similarly here, if White is absolutely desperate to hold onto c5 with b4, I'd recommend:
After 4. b4 a5:
5. a3? misses the pin on the a-file axb4 when axb4?? Rx ...[text shortened]... well. So you can see after 4. ... a5! it will be virtually impossible to keep the c5 pawn.
I was able to visualize most of that right when you suggested a5. I'm getting better at seeing ahead but I hadn't even (looked) at a5 as a choice. I think I'm going to modify my game vs. 1. d4 with 1...Nf6 (first) before I bring out the c pawn.
I also like how it disrupts whites e-pawn from immediately taking the center.
I'm in the middle of a game against a 2100! player and of course I'm starting to get on shakey ground. But I'm proud that I haven't been clobbered yet this far into the game. Or maybe it's already over and I just don't see it 🙂