{"id":3872,"date":"2024-04-17T11:25:21","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T11:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/?p=3872"},"modified":"2024-04-17T11:25:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T11:25:23","slug":"is-it-time-for-a-modern-benoni-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/is-it-time-for-a-modern-benoni-revival\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it time for a Modern Benoni revival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Benoni Defence or simply Benoni, is reached after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5.<\/strong> It is one of the typical defenses available to counter white’s solid 1. d4. The etymology of the word Benoni can be traced back to biblical times, with the unusual meaning The son of sorrow<\/em>s in Hebrew. True to its profound synonym, players who employ the rather rash counter attacking melee love the resulting unbalanced positions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Modern version of Benoni, simply the Modern Benoni, goes like this 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5<\/strong>. And what’s the best approach to this sortie than to simply go with the commandments of the opening phase?

White plays the natural 4. d5 and seizes space in the center of the board. <\/p>\n\n\n

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What is Black\u2019s idea behind allowing such a liberty to happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the new book Benoni <\/em>by\u00a0Ivan Ivani\u0161evi\u0107 <\/a><\/strong>(published by Chess Fortress and now available on Forward Chess), the following paragraph sums up Black\u2019s stance admirably.

\u2018The Benoni is a chess opening that offers Black excellent chances to play for a win. One of the main reasons for this is that it creates unbalanced positions from the very beginning, which favors the player with a better understanding of the nuances of the position. The Benoni involves Black placing their pawns on d6 and c5, and then fianchettoing their dark-squared bishop on g7. This setup creates a solid pawn structure and puts pressure on White\u2019s center, making it difficult for them to launch a direct attack, while simultaneously threatening the c3 knight and the b2 pawn.\u2019<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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World Champions Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer both won a number of beautiful games with the Modern Benoni, even at the highest level of matches for the ultimate title. Since the respective heydays of the aforementioned \u2018disturbers of the peace\u2019, the Modern Benoni has lacked a hero and is usually treated with suspicion. Yes, we see the occasional \u2018must-win\u2019 game featuring the Benoni, but it doesn\u2019t always end well and the defence remains a rare guest at the top levels of chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, former World Champion caused a stir by using the Modern Benoni against Vincent Keymer at the GRENKE Chess Classic and notching up an impressive victory. Will this start a trend?<\/p>\n\n\n

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Stockfish gives a profound ?! for c5. But guess what? Carokann used to receive the same mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ouch! Why @lichess<\/a> why? pic.twitter.com\/iE7UoKKbK6<\/a><\/p>— Forward Chess (@ForwardChess) September 24, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>