Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...c5

Old Benoni Defence
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. d4 c5
ECO code: A43-A44
Parent: Queen's Pawn Opening

1...c5 - Old Benoni Defence/ Benoni Defense edit

The Old Benoni Defense is quite rare and uncommon nowadays but can actually lead to a tactical and sharp game. Black takes a swipe with c5 and gambits a pawn for the exchange, develops, and gets pieces into the game. White normally responds with d5; taking the pawn is not recommended because of 2...e6, and if White tries defending, then a5 and White has no solutions to hold on to pawns while Black gains a tempo. This opening is quite rare nowadays. One idea for Black is to transpose to a Modern Benoni while avoiding the Four Pawn Attack (that is, variations with an early f2-f4 for White). Black can fianchetto his King's Bishop, and only after White plays Nf3 blocking an f-pawn, continue with ... e6 and ... exd5.

Another idea for Black is to keep the h8-a1 diagonal of Black's bishop open by delaying ... Nf6. Black could then play ... Ne7 instead of ... Nf6, or possibly, if White plays an early Nc3, give up his bishop by ... Bc3 to double the pawns.

Theory table edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 c5

2 3 4 5 6
1 d5
d6
c4

g6

Nc3

Bg7

Nf3

Bxc3!?

bxc3

Nf6

King's Indian
Benoni
2 Nc3

g6

e4

Bg7

Nf3

Bxc3!?

bxc3

Nf6

= Schmid Benoni
3 d5
e5
e4
d6
Nc3
Be7
Nf3
Bg4
h3
+/=
Czech Benoni
4 e3
-
=
5 dxc5
e6
=

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References edit

  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
  • Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.
  • Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.