Benoni Fianchetto Variation Sideline.

I was wondering why Benoni players don't play this variation more often.

So you're asking why your opponents don't play variations that you don't think are sound? Maybe because they don't either?

There is always the danger of 6.d6 with a bind in the centre. I'm not an expert but if there is a refutation it is probably 6.d6.

Okay I thought about this for a while and here's why it's not as good as d6.

You see, black has a couple methods of playing this position (I might add that this position is quite good for black, probably equal), all of them involve an eventual d6.  However NOT all of them involve b5.  So although the position is most likely to transpose, you're better to play d6 FIRST and then play your b5 so as to avoid 'tipping your hand' too early (to avoid potential white improvements such as in the Beliavsky game played a few years back (for those interested, he played 6. Qc2).

I accidentally made a mistake in my move list.  I said White gets counterplay when I meant Black does.

I dont see why White would fianchetto if Black can just play d6 to lock in the White diagonal (i.e. d5-pawn and g6-bishop).

Most players who play the Catalan play this line.  It's definitely not uncommon although it's not particularly good for white.  The Taiminov is really the only variation where white gets enough dynamic play to counter black's dynamism (thereby leaving a static advantage to white nearer the endgame).  Don't think there's much question about the soundness though.  The Benoni is a great weapon to have ... especially if you ALSO play the Benko or Blumenfeld.

I play the catalan (quite often), but I have to say that I think that bishop is almost never good in vlosed center games.

Now, not to totally argue with everything you just said catalyst... The initiative is INCREDIBLY important in some positions.  And KillaBeez is right to discern that initiative (counterplay) is very important in dynamic positions such as the Benoni.  Kasparov beat deep blue by giving away so called 'initiative' in very closed positions (I believe he focused on the KIA).

Of course, material is an important element but with material even and in a position like the one KillaBeez is presenting... the player with the initiative is probably the player with the win.

Yeah g6 is almost a given for black... guess you could do it eventually in killabeez's line.

b5 scores quite well for Black according to Game Explorer.  Yes I was going to play g6 in the eventual future.  Counterplay is IMPORTANT.  If you don't have counterplay with the Black pieces, you're a sitting duck.  White has the initiative from the first move.  If Black doesn't get counterplay, he won't stand a chance to win the game. 

Catalyst, what is your definition of counterplay?  I think you are confusing it with initiative.

But what would happen if White had all the space on the board and Black could not do anything useful?  Even if Black was up a pawn?  In that case, Black lacks counterplay and cannot do anything useful.  He just sits around and waits for White to crush him.

Counterplay and initiative are used interchangably but don't have to be.  Catalyst is right ... I'm wrong :D.

But whatever the case... in the line in question, black has (and needs) both :P.

Thanks Gonnosuke.  I am naturally a tactical player and like to make things happen with the Black pieces.  It's nice that you can give advice to some of us learning players.

Absolutley beautiful Gonnosuke.  You should write a book :D

Good discussion, y'all. Thanks.

I've seen similar positions in Silman's books.  But when you consider how many master level games have been played, that sort of position just doesn't happen very often.

 Korchnoi can up with the hypermodern style?  No way!  Nimzovich and Reti were the founders of this way of playing.  Korchnoi was classical all the way.

If a player has a certain style, say aggresssive, he will only play well in "his" positions. Example: he sees that capturing this pawn here will result in a solid sort of position, while capturing that pawn over there will result in a sharper position. Obviously, no matter which is more correct, he will not do very well in a strategic position. Look at the games between Tal and Botvinnik for this.

So if you're a master or a novice, you must still play towards your style; whatever it is. If you don't, you will realize that you will get into many games where you have a won position, but don't know what to do with it! Stick to your guns, learn to use them properly, and that will be the best way you or anyone else can improve.