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THE OLD BENONI DEFENSE: A SHARP KNIFE IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED OF WAYS

THE OLD BENONI DEFENSE: A SHARP KNIFE IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED OF WAYS

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Are you tired of your opponent playing 1. d4? Do you want an open, sharp-attacking game where you have chances even if your opponent doesn't fall for it? Well, then, I present to you, the Old Benoni Defense!

The Old Benoni Defense is not called a gambit, although it gives up a pawn, as you can easily win it back. Here is this seemingly awkward opening:

Perhaps the reason that this opening is not called a gambit is because it cannot be captured. Of course, it is playable, but Black will be a tempo ahead, along with a strong pawn in the centre.

Now you're asking me, what is the c-pawn is defended by the b-pawn? As those above 600 or 700 rating know, this is bad. In fact, it doesn't vary too much from the Queen's Gambit.

Now for one of my favourite tricks. When you are playing weaker opponents who play 1. d4, then you play 1...c4 and they take ... try advancing your e-pawn one square. Here's why:

Now you're asking me: what if they don't take? Well, that's the point. Not taking is the best move for white, instead pushing to d5. However, that is why I introduced this opening: it is still very much playable if your opponent does indeed play d5. Here is a game that I played in the Old Benoni Defense, where my opponent played 2. d5:

OK, now that that's done with, here's one of my best games in the Old Benoni Defense:

Here are some tips to use if you want to play the Old Benoni Defense:

  • You need to be able to cope with squashed positions.
  • Try not to castle on the queenside unless it is safe.
  • Don't keep trying to win the pawn in the variation where White continuously defends it: build development, and soon you will gain it back, whether directly by force or attacking and winning more valuable material.

With that in mind, let's take a look at this game played between a Fide Master and International Master. There are no notes from me, so that you can see things for yourself as the game progresses (and also because I'm too lazy):

Did you know that Magnus Carlsen himself has played a few games in the Old Benoni? Here is one of them:

Have you learnt a lot about the Old Benoni Defense today? I hope so! It's a sharp weapon, isn't it? Oh yeah, let me show you something before you go:

If the Benoni Defense was named after a person, he would look something like this, right?