Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4/2...c5

Benoni Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pp1ppppp/5n2/2p5/2PP4/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5
Parent: Indian Defence

Benoni Defence

Black threatens to exchange the c pawn against a central pawn. The objectively best solution for White is to advance the pawn and play 3. d5, gaining space in the center, however it allows black to gain dangerous pressure by 3...e6. To avoid this, White may play 3. Nf3, protecting the pawn. This move allows Black to exchange the pawns or to increase pressure by playing 3...e6. Additionally, 3.Nf3 may transpose to a Maroczy Bind Sicilian. The last option is 3. e3 but this leads to a blocked game for white (both bishops are blocked by pawns and Black will get a lead in development). Notice that if white takes with 3. dxc5 Black will not lose material. With the moves 3...Na6 or 3...e6, Black will equalize easily.

Theory table

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

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5

	3	4	5	6
Modern Benoni	d5 e6	Nc3 exd5	cxd5 d6	e4 g6	+/=
Benko Gambit	... b5	cxb5 a6	bxa6 Bxa6
English/Anti-Benoni Variation	Nf3 cxd4	Nxd4 e6	Nc3 Bb4	g3 O-O	=
Panov-Botvinnik Attack	e3 g6	Nf3 cxd4	exd4 d5	Nc3 Bg7	=

References

de Firmian, Nick. Modern Chess Openings, 15th Edition. New York, NY: Random House, 2008.