Chess Opening Secrets Revealed*: Chess: Understanding the Modern Benoni Part I

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 e6 4 Nc3 exd5 5 cxd5 d6
6 Nf3 g6 7 Bf4 a6 8 e4 Bg7 9 Qa4+ Bd7 10 Qb3 b5
11 Bxd6 b4 12 e5 bxc3 13 exf6 cxb2 14 Qxb2 Bxf6
15 Be5 Qe7 16 O-O-O Bxe5 17 Qxe5 Qxe5 18 Nxe5
18 ... Ba4 Line

What's the game plan for White?

* Apply pressure on Black's d6 pawn.
This pawn is the cornerstone of Black's
position, and if White can undermine it,
the defender will often find himself
beleaguered by insoluble problems.
* Make preparations for a timely e4-e5
breakthrough. This objective enhances
the one above.
* Harass Black's queenside with the
Queen along the d1-a4 diagonal.

What's the game plan for Black?

* Activate queenside pawn majority
through ... b7-b5.
* Use the powerful bishop on g7 to
further the above demonstration.
* Exert pressure down the half open
e-file by placing the Queen on e7.

1 d4

White takes control of the e5 and c5 squares.
The c1-h6 diagonal also opens up for the black
bishop.

1 ... Nf6

d5 and e4 now belong to Black's knight.

2 c4

White wants in on the d5 square.

2 ... c5

Attacking White's center.

3 d5

So as to gain space.

3 Nf3
3 e3
3 dxc5
3 Nc3

3 ... e6

It's all about d5.

3 ... b5
3 ... g6
3 ... d6
3 ... e5
3 ... a6
3 ... Ne4
3 ... Qa5+

4 Nc3

Reinforcing his hold on the d5 square and contending
for e4. Not good is 4 d6 because Black then wins the
pawn through 4 ... Qb6

4 Nf3
4 g3
4 dxe6

4 ... exd5

4 ... d6
4 ... g6
4 ... a6

5 cxd5

5 Nxd5
5 e3

5 ... d6

The e5 square is covered and the c8-h3 diagonal is
opened up for the c8 bishop. This move also eliminates
the possibility of d5-d6.

5 ... g6
5 ... Bd6
5 ... a5

6 Nf3

6 e4
6 g3
6 h4
6 Bf4

6 ... g6

6 ... a6
6 ... Be7
6 ... Nbd7

7 Bf4

Scoping out the d6 pawn, as per plan.

7 e4
7 g3
7 Nd2
7 h3
7 Bg5
7 Qa4+

7 ... a6

Prepares for the ... b5 break and prevents a potential
Nb5, a move that would greatly pressure the important
d6 pawn.

7 ... Bg7
7 ... Qb6

8 e4

White consolidates his position in the center and
facilitates the mobilization of the white bishop
along the f1-a6 diagonal.

8 a4
8 Nd2
8 Ne4

8 ... Bg7