People really overthink openings, while you should just get playable positions in which you for the most part know what's going on. It really doesn't have to be more complex than that. I've had at least as much if not more success with the offbeat Chigorin Defence than my Grünfeld, which I had studied quite a bit (and regret it now, because I could've/should've spent that time on other aspects).
Benoni Defense
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Apr 12, 2021
0
#43
justthetip21 wrote:
E41803 wrote:
samsajwani123 wrote:
E41803 wrote:
literally no chess coach in history would ever tell a beginner/intermediate player to play the benoni! why are people recommending it? you'll just get a terrible position from the opening and lose, because you don't know all the positional details of the opening! it's the same reason the Grunfeld and the Ruy Lopez are terrible openings below 2100/2200- they are far too theoretical and positional
Hey, what are you saying? I analyzed the Lichess database, and found that at beginners level, 51% win as black with the Benoni...
Yes, because at beginner level you can blunder your queen, but your opponent will hang backrank checkmate with 7 minutes left on their clock. When you get to 1300+ having a strong opening base becomes really important. Like I said, Benoni is a great opening in the hands of GMs- but should be avoided by practically everyone else.
You completely contradicted yourself.
"Beginners shouldn't play Benoni"
"You only had success with it because you are a beginner"
Awful
Ffs, beginners shouldn't play an opening that is too complex, too theoretical, and too positional!!! If you can't understand that, you're beyond saving
lol
Apr 12, 2021
0
#46
I agree with you, openings need to be developed immediately. for this reason I suggested the "son of pain" (Benoni) because you move 1 .. c5 and then they are pains.
already! we are talking about 1 .. c5.
Apr 12, 2021
0
#47
more than anything, any beginners shouldn't pretend to know them, bizmark! 
Apr 12, 2021
0
#48
always about Benoni to learn I can suggest the proof of 9, I don't know if you remember it: it is a mathematical comparison.
practically you perform 9 operations (checkered 9 moves) and if the result is perfect you have already obtained the answer.
of course it's a bit complicated but in chess almost nothing is free, like in life .. apart air and water.
Feb 28, 2022
0
#49
Back to this thread... Now as an expert rated player. Most of my games otb are not decided by the opening. In fact, my opening play is so bad, I get -1 positions out of the opening over 60% of the time!
Yet, I still win.
Feb 28, 2022
0
#50
When this thread was still hot, I was rated 1700-ish USCF. Now I'm rated 2040.
My opening repertoire is so simple it borderlines on stupid. As white I play 1.Nf3 2.c4 against everything.
How much english theory do I know? None.
How much reti theory do I know? A few moves.
How much KID (fianchetto) theory do I know? Some.
But I've never lost a game otb with 1.Nf3 2.c4 - with 9 wins and one draw, performing over 2450.
That's because I know the middlegames well, and can outplay my opponent. While I was often worse out from the opening, about 50% of the time as white (!), I could fight back for a win. Because openings do not decide your games. So learn what you want.
Watch Lefong. He is the very famous for the Benoni. Also, I really don't like those "YoU mUsT bE 2000+ To PlAy ThE bEnOnI". Play the opening if you like it and learn the ins and outs of it. Makes it easier later on when you understand the pawn structure
goldenbeer wrote:
I play Benoni, because I don’t want to play a boring game, but it’s really bad, and I’m relatively high rated saying that (99.8 percentile).
I like Semi-Slav but I am surrounded by wusses who can't possible play anything other than London, Veresov, Torre, or Colle.
Mar 1, 2022
0
#53
I always preferred d4 since I started chess but Benoni and Budapest Gambit are throwing me almost every time (I'm an amateur with 1600-1700 in blitz so I can't say that there are openings in chess that are suitable only for 2000+). I sometimes switch to 1.Nf3 partly because of Benoni Defense.
drpooky wrote:
So learn the Benoni and also learn something more quiet. Then take each of those and learn to push the aggression or passivity in both lines. Then play a lot of openings. Then refine it back to the ones you like that fit a common repetoire. Have fun with it and don't take it too seriously.
Thanks for your comment... 
B1ZMARK wrote:
When this thread was still hot, I was rated 1700-ish USCF. Now I'm rated 2040.
My opening repertoire is so simple it borderlines on stupid. As white I play 1.Nf3 2.c4 against everything.
How much english theory do I know? None.
How much reti theory do I know? A few moves.
How much KID (fianchetto) theory do I know? Some.
But I've never lost a game otb with 1.Nf3 2.c4 - with 9 wins and one draw, performing over 2450.
That's because I know the middlegames well, and can outplay my opponent. While I was often worse out from the opening, about 50% of the time as white (!), I could fight back for a win. Because openings do not decide your games. So learn what you want.
@B1ZMARK you are making me confused... Are you trying to say that openings do not matter as much as middlegame understading?
Mar 2, 2022
0
#56
s_sajwani123 wrote:
B1ZMARK wrote:
When this thread was still hot, I was rated 1700-ish USCF. Now I'm rated 2040.
My opening repertoire is so simple it borderlines on stupid. As white I play 1.Nf3 2.c4 against everything.
How much english theory do I know? None.
How much reti theory do I know? A few moves.
How much KID (fianchetto) theory do I know? Some.
But I've never lost a game otb with 1.Nf3 2.c4 - with 9 wins and one draw, performing over 2450.
That's because I know the middlegames well, and can outplay my opponent. While I was often worse out from the opening, about 50% of the time as white (!), I could fight back for a win. Because openings do not decide your games. So learn what you want.
@B1ZMARK you are making me confused... Are you trying to say that openings do not matter as much as middlegame understading?
Yes that’s exactly what I’m saying
I get into bad positions so often it’s not even funny anymore
bezmoralniy wrote:
I always preferred d4 since I started chess but Benoni and Budapest Gambit are throwing me almost every time (I'm an amateur with 1600-1700 in blitz so I can't say that there are openings in chess that are suitable only for 2000+). I sometimes switch to 1.Nf3 partly because of Benoni Defense.
I made a study on the Indian Defenses where I cover the Modern Benoni and the Budapest Gambit. Has some sample games as well
Mar 3, 2022
0
#58
EKAFC написал:
I made a study on the Indian Defenses where I cover the Modern Benoni and the Budapest Gambit. Has some sample games as well
Thank you very much for your effort! I like this study.
ah! Is that why he made me find software? then I should have lost, not come out disgusted!
sure, you have to study. as my grandmother used to say, you can get a glass of water for free.
rosica.