Benoni Opening

( ECO code A60-79 ): 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6

White wants to be active in the center and in the kingside. Black wants to use the pawn majority in the queenside.

Pros

1. Dynamic positions: Benoni often leads to sharp and tactical battles. Black can create counterplay opportunities with active piece play.

2. Asymmetric Structure: The opening creates an asymmetric pawn structure on the board, which can lead to complex and interesting game positions for both sides.

3. Counterattack Potential: Black aims to weaken White's center by sacrificing pawns in the center and to launch a counterattack.

4. Active pieces: Black's bishops and knights, in particular, often occupy effective squares and create pressure.

Cons

1. Risky Structure: Benoni is considered a risky opening, requiring players to play carefully and sharply.

2.Lack of space: White can gain more space advantage in the center and develop his pieces more easily.

3.Pawn Weaknesses: Black creates weaknesses in his own pawn structure by sacrificing pawns, which can be a target for White's attacks

A60: Modern Benoni and early divergences: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6

A61: Modern Benoni without early e4:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6

A62: Modern Benoni, Fianchetto Variation without early ...Nbd7:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3

A63: ............., Fianchetto Variation sidelines: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 O-O

A64: ............., Fianchetto Variation main line: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Nd2 Nbd7 Example game A64

A65: Modern Benoni, sidelines with early e4:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4

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

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

A68: Modern Benoni, Four Pawns Attack without 9...Re8:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Bd3

A69: ............., Four Pawns Attack with 9...Re8:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Be2 Re8 Example game A69

A70: Modern Benoni, 7.Nf3:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3

A71: ............., 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bg5 without Be2:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bg5 Example game A71

A72: Modern Benoni, Classical Variation with Bg5:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.Bg5 Example game A72

A73: Modern Benoni, Classical Variation and unusual Black 9th moves:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O

A74: ............., Classical Variation with 9...a6:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O a6

A75: ............., Classical Variation main line: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Bg4 Example game A75

A76: ............., ................... with 9...Re8 10.Qc2:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Qc2 Example game A76

A77: ............., ................... with 9...Re8 10.Nd2:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Nd2

A78: ............., ................... with 10...Na6:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Nd2 Na6

A79: ............., ................... with 10...Na6 11.f3:    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Re8 10.Nd2 Na6 11.f3 Example game A79