The Benoni is a sharply dynamic answer to 1.d4: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6. Black accepts a cramped, asymmetrical structure in return for active piece counterplay and pressure on the e- and c-files. The main branches are gathered here: the Classical System, the Four Pawns Attack, the Modern System and the Fianchetto. At each branching point, choose which line to play.
The dimmed moves are the rest of the main line, and the dots mark branching points. Click any move to jump to that position.
The thin arrow on the board shows the next move.
You can also play the move on the board: pick the piece up and put it on the square.
The starting position. Choose your moves - at a branching point several continuations are available.
The Modern Benoni arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6. Black deliberately goes in for an asymmetrical pawn structure: White has a pawn majority and space in the centre, Black a majority on the queenside and the half-open e-file.
The main idea is dynamic counterplay. Black's bishop on g7 rakes the long diagonal, the queenside pawns are ready for the ...b5 break, and the pieces press on White's centre. It is an opening of sharp, calculating positions in which White's static edge is balanced by Black's activity.
The Benoni is a weapon for the bold: Mikhail Tal loved it and won brilliant attacking games with it. But the opening demands precision: play passively and White's space advantage becomes suffocating.
In the Classical System White develops with e4, Nf3 and Be2 and castles, relying on space. The most aggressive is the Four Pawns Attack, 7.f4, with a huge c4-d4(d5)-e4-f4 centre and the threat of the e5 break.
The modern main system with 7.h3 subtly prepares Bd3 and removes the ...Bg4 pin. The fianchetto 7.g3 (via 6.Nf3) is the quiet route, where the g2 bishop reliably holds Black's counterplay on the long diagonal.
The Benoni is an opening for those playing to win with Black. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 an asymmetrical pawn structure arises: White has a central pawn majority, Black a queenside one and the half-open e-file.
Black's plan is piece pressure: ...g6, ...Bg7, ...0-0, ...Re8, ...Nbd7 and the ...b5 break. The g7 bishop rakes the long diagonal, the knights head for e5 and c4, and the a- and b-pawns roll forward. Once the counterplay is going, Black's position is very dangerous.
The risk is real: if White gets in e4-e5 or clamps down on the queenside with a4, Black is left with no play and a chronically weak d6 pawn. The Benoni does not forgive slowness.
The route Black likes least is the modern line with 7.f4 and Bb5+: White grabs space and gets in the way of normal development. The second strong plan is 6.e4 and Bd3 followed by h3, 0-0 and the preparation of e4-e5, blowing the centre open.
Prophylaxis works against the ...b5 plan: the move a4 stops all the queenside counterplay. That is exactly why the Benoni is considered risky - one precise move removes half the point of the opening.
There is a way round it too - instead of 3.d5, play 3.Nf3 and steer the game into Modern Benoni structures on your own terms, or into Queen's Gambit positions altogether.
The typical set-ups this opening leads to - learn them, and the plan follows by itself.
An asymmetrical structure: White has a central pawn majority, Black a queenside one. The g7 bishop presses down the long diagonal, and the whole game is built around the e4-e5 and ...b5 breaks.
These are the main named variations. Click any one of them and it loads straight onto the board above, where you can play it out move by move. The trainer itself holds more lines than this: it also covers main-line continuations and transpositions that have no name of their own.
What to avoid, and what catches an unprepared opponent.
If Black is slow with ...d6 and development, White opens the centre with e4-e5, the g7 bishop runs into its own pieces and the king is left under fire. Move order in the Benoni matters more than it looks.
Black opens the position and has no time to consolidate. The Benoni structure only works together with the d6 pawn and the ...b5 plan - without them all that is left is a space deficit.
Traps in other openings - the 12 most common opening traps.
For the dynamism. In exchange for White's space advantage Black gets an active g7 bishop, a queenside pawn majority (with the ...b5 break ready-made) and pressure on the half-open e- and c-files. Activity as compensation for conceded space.
Yes, it is one of the sharpest openings for Black. With active, precise play Black gets excellent counterplay, but the slightest passivity and White's space advantage becomes suffocating. So the Benoni is an opening for bold calculators.
Above all the eighth world champion Mikhail Tal, who won brilliant attacking games with it. Fischer and many other lovers of sharp chess played it too. The Benoni is still a weapon for those playing for a win with Black.
It is a related but independent opening: instead of 3...e6 Black plays 3...b5, sacrificing a pawn for queenside pressure. The Benoni bets on dynamism without a sacrifice, the Benko Gambit on positional compensation for a pawn.
Want the tactics that decide these positions? Start with the 12 most common opening traps and tactics for beginners. If you are just starting out, read the rules of chess and how to set up the board.
Приложение подсказывает порядок шагов и не даст запутаться: оно само знает, когда объявлять следующий тур и кто с кем играет. Создание турнира бесплатное.
рабочий вариант для первого турнира: 4 тура, любой состав
если собралось меньше десяти человек
если для первого раза турнир кажется слишком серьёзным
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Открой приложение Vibe Chess - там расписание встреч и шахматных мероприятий в разных городах России, запись и твои турниры.
