Ask : Benoni Defense

in this case let me ask.

• From Which side White attack?
• In which side Black should attack?

Thanks for the answer

Both sides can try attacking on the queen and kingsides. A common plan for black is to try a6, Rb8 and b5 at some point, and also Ne8, g6, Ng7 and f5.

I think the key move here is f4 - if black declines you get a passed pawn, if he accepts you get a lead in development and and attack at his weak d5 pawn plus a central pawn majority and a open file for your rook :))

Both sides have enough space on both flanks where they can expand on either. Deciding exactly which way is not easy (and depends on opponent's play), but I will just say that neither player has a super-dominant side here, so keep an open mind.

@Commie: The main problem with f4 is that it creates potential weakness on e5 and e4. Not that it can never be playable.

As an example of the ...Ne8-g6-Ng7-f5 idea for black, here's a thematic game I played a while ago after watching a bit of Andrew Martin's DVD on the Czech Benoni. I'm sure there're lots of mistakes in it, but you get an idea of the motif.

Gotcha! this is what i'm lookin for!!

I disagree that black is screwed if he can't play ...f5. He could be, but it's not clear to me: generally when white plays h3 and g4, he creates a few holes; black will usually be threatening ...b5 also so white at the same time can feel compelled to prevent that with a4. With those moves in there is sort of a balance: black is ridiculously cramped yet white has so many holes that to attack anywhere risks opening them up to black!

I actually like to fianchetto the bishop as if I'm playing a king's indian; it's tempting not to take two moves to have it stare at e5 (to say the least ), but actually it's pretty respectably placed here because it means that ...f5 is less likely to have central problems -- meeting ...f5 with exf5 and moves like f4 are not going to be as punishing now. The move actually gains space, as it clears one extra square and so there will be just a bit less clutter on the back rank. Besides, in closed positions you can't expect a particularly wide open diagonal anyway.

I even think that sometimes black might STILL want to play ...f5 even if white plays g4, depending on how harmonious his position is. If the white rooks aren't connected, who knows -- even though black is opening his king, can white's displaced pieces exploit it? After all, it could really free up black's pieces (especially with that bishop on g7 )

Both sides just have so many options and move orders that it's hard to evaluate. It's an interesting fight between white's space and potential weakness and black's solidity.

up up

Wait... did someone just create 26 moves of theory?

emm, is white kingside fianchetto is a part of a theory?

white has potential problem e4 and c4 so if i'm black i'll try to develop (and maneuver) my pieces and put pressure on those.. in exchange for the potential weaknesses white has space advantage so if i'm white here i'll try to cramped black's position even more..

about your question: since the center is locked, both can mount an attack either side.. but since white's LSBishop is bad on the queenside (c4 pawn blocking its mobility) MAYBE it's wise to play on the kingside here.. and since black is a little cramped and his DSBishop is bad, the only wise choice i think is to play kingside also,.

(just a low rated opinion)

cheers..