D4 C5; The Old Benoni Defence Guide

The old Benoni defence is an opening that’s been played since the mid 1800s, although not so famous as other d4 responses. It starts like this;

While it seems like a gambit, if they take you can get the benefits of a gambit while eventually winning back the pawn, much like the queens gambit accepted. First I will go over the other lines though.

Often they will play 2. D5, pushing at you, the top engine move for white. You should play e6, and if they trade, take with the F pawn giving you two central pawns instead of their one, as well as slightly better development.

This is how it will normally play out, with 3. Nc3 as white. From here aim for something like this;

This is generally how it will go, just using this as a template as what you normally want to aim for here, a solid defence, and you will quickly push back.

Now for the other moves then 2. D5. If they go e3, I would plan to go e6, and play d5 next turn

This is solid, and not much more theory you need to know there.

Next is 2. E4. This is the smith mora Sicilian if you recognize it, I’ve never seen it played here, but it’s a whole opening with tons of theory but I’d just do this

They will often play c3 after that, and just 4. Dxc3 will do the trick.

Now for the final one before accepted… 2. Nf3. This is a bad move, and you should do something like this;

Plan to play e5 kicking the knight and getting your second central pawn. We’ve gotten to all the simple stuff, now for the fun traps that will win big. First off always do this against accepted; 

This puts pressure on the weak pawn. Note you can win it back with Qa5+ but don’t do that since centralizing your queen is bad. Ok, the most common move from here is b4,

And now you play a5. I won’t talk for a bit now and just show you the lines.

Those are pretty much whites only four moves other the. Be3??

And Bd2?? Where you play axc3 bxc3 the. You can play Na3 or Nc3.

but what if they don’t play 3. B4? Their best moves are actually letting the pawn go, and you should just take with the bishop but if Qd4…

Or if they play 4. Qc4 in that line… just play Qa5+.

Now for our final dose of theory; 

Yeah believe it or not white has actually played this, although I doubt at higher levels.

Summary; the old Benoni is a powerful tool against d4 your opponents will barely know if at all, and is quite similar to the queens gambit accepted if they take. Hope you enjoyed this!