Fianchetto Benoni question...

So I've switched to a 1.d4 Catalan repertoire but the problem with the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3.g3 seems to be the move 3...c5. I can't find a way to deal with it without feeling that I'm worse as white.

I know how to play against the Benoni if its played right away on move 1 or 2 (I dont play the Fianchetto variation then) but this line is annoying me

4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 b5!? 6. Bg2 d6 and so on....

It seems like Black has gotten in b5 for free and I prefer his position. Normally, the Benoni is very cramped but here Black seems to be very comfortable with ...b5 in already.

Is there some way around this or is it just one of those things I will have to accept as a Catalan player. I suppose I could start with 3.Nf3 but the main point behind 3.g3 was to avoid QID lines.

Yea thats the variation

Rainbowrising, I understand that there is quite alot of sand in there, so I recommend you start straight away. Spend atleast 2 hours in the shower, trying to get all that sand out of your vagina.

5...b5 has been "refuted" by Kramnik's line, and then resurrected again (by 9...Na6, which is the only move, it does look suspect, but so far is scoring well). I won't be surprised if Black is in a bad shape after 9...Na6, though.

Ummm, it goes 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 ed5 5.ed5 b5 6.e4 Nxe4 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.Bg2.

Now 8...f5 fails to 9.Nh3 b4 (or 9...Ba6 first) 10.0-0! Ba6 11.Qc2 Bxf1 12.Kxf1, and Black, being pawn and exchange up, is completely lost. So, Black has to play 8...Nd6 9.Be3 Na6! (after 9...Bb7 or 9...b4 Black is simply suffering) 10.Nc3 b4 11.Na4 Bb7! which is very messy, but currently is considered about equal.

The regular 3.g3 benoni is OK for Black, despite Avrukh's claims. You can find very good analysis in Palliser's recent benoni book.

Wow what a crazy line! Seems fun to play though...

I have played this stuff as white quite a bit, but IMHO Black is just fine in the variation 4.Nf3 cd4 5.Nxd4 Qc7 6.Nc3 a6. White either has to play very artificially, or sacrifice the c4 pawn, when he does have some compensation, but Black is extremely solid. I'd rather play this position as Black now.

Just because Black has so many options doesn't necessarily mean he has equalized though. IMO, the Catalan exposes you to many different types of positions, which is good. Its may not be as crazy tactical as the KG but its a good balance.Tactics are known to arise from good positions.

This fianchetto Benoni line is quite tactical as shown by Pfren's lines.

The Catalan is definately not something like the London System. Now that isn't particularly very tactical at all....