Feel Old? Check out the Old Benoni

Introduction:

 

The Old Benoni is a chess opening that has been played by many famous grandmasters over the years. This opening is known for its dynamic and aggressive nature, which can lead to complex and exciting games. In this article, we will discuss the basic principles of the Old Benoni, as well as its various move orders and variations. We will also analyze some model games to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of this opening.

Basic Principles: 

The Old Benoni is based on the moves 1.d4 c5 2.d5 e5, which create a pawn structure with pawns on d5 and e5. The basic principles of the Old Benoni include controlling the center, developing pieces, and creating counterplay on the queenside.

In the Old Benoni, black typically aims to control the d4 square with their pawns and pieces, while also developing their pieces towards the kingside. Black can also create counterplay on the queenside with moves like b5 and a6. However, the Old Benoni can also lead to some weaknesses, such as the weakened d-pawn and the potential for a pawn storm against the king.

Variations and Move Orders: 

The Old Benoni can be reached through different move orders, such as 1.d4 c5, 1.Nf3 c5, and 1.c4 c5. These move orders can lead to different variations of the Old Benoni, such as the Classical Variation, the Modern Variation, and the Snake Variation.

The Classical Variation is characterized by the moves 3.dxe6 dxe6 4.Qxd8+ Kxd8, which lead to a position with an open e-file and a slightly better pawn structure for white. The Modern Variation is characterized by the move 3...d6, which aims to control the center and prepare to develop the knights. The Snake Variation is characterized by the move 3...Nf6, which prepares to put pressure on the d4 pawn with moves like Nd7 and Qb6.

Model Games: 

To illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the Old Benoni, we will analyze some model games that showcase different variations of this opening. One such game is the famous game between Mikhail Tal and Bent Larsen from the 1965 Candidates Tournament, which featured the Classical Variation. Another game we will analyze is the game between Garry Kasparov and Artur Yusupov from the 1989 World Cup, which featured the Modern Variation.

In these games, we will examine the critical moments and key ideas behind the Old Benoni, such as controlling the center, developing pieces, creating counterplay on the queenside, and defending against a pawn storm.

Bobby Fischer vs. Wolf Peter

PGN:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 c5 3. d5 exd5 4. exd5 d6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. h3 g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-On9. Nge2 b6 

10. O-O Ba6 11. a4 Nbd7 12. Bf4 Ne8 13. Re1 f5 14. g5 Ne5 15. Nb5 Nc7 16. Nec3 Re8 17. h4 Nxb5 18. axb5 Bb7 

19. Bf1 Re7 20. Re3 Ng4 21. Rf3 h6 22. gxh6 Bxh6 23. Bxh6 Nxh6 24. Qd2 Rh7 25. Qg5 Qxg5+ 26. hxg5 Ng4 27. Rh3 Rxh3 

28. Bxh3 Ne5 29. Kg2 a6 30. bxa6 Rxa6 31. Re1 b5 32. f4 b4 33. Nb5 Bxd5+ 34. Kf2 Bc4 35. Nc7 Ra7 

36. Ne8 Nf7 37. Nf6+ Kg7 38. Re8 Nh6 39. Rd8 Ng4+ 40. Bxg4 fxg4 41. Rxd6 Ra2 42. Nxg4 Rxb2 43. Ne5 Rxc2+ 

44. Kf3 b3 45. Rxg6+ Kf8 46. Rb6 Bd5+ 47.Kg4 b2 48. Nd3 c4 49. Nxb2 c3 50. Nd3 Be4 51. Ne1 Rc1 1/2-1/2

Key Takeaways & Analysis:

e4 e6: The game starts with the French Defense.

d4 c5: Black plays the Franco-Sicilian move, aiming to challenge the center and potentially gain counterplay.

d5 exd5: White captures the pawn on c5, and Black recaptures with the d6 pawn, maintaining material balance.

exd5 d6: White pushes the d5 pawn, potentially aiming to control the center, and Black continues to develop and reinforce the position.

Nc3 Nf6: White develops the knight, aiming to control important squares and potentially prepare for further maneuvers. Black continues to develop and potentially reinforce the defense.

h3 g6: White plays h3, potentially aiming to prevent the pin by Black's light-squared bishop. Black plays g6, preparing to fianchetto the bishop.

g4 Bg7: White plays g4, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially create threats. Black continues to develop and reinforce the position.

Bg2 O-O: White castles kingside, aiming to secure the king's safety and potentially prepare for further maneuvers. Black also castles kingside, securing the king and potentially preparing for further maneuvers.

Nge2 b6: White's knight moves to e2, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black plays b6, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially prepare for further maneuvers.

O-O Ba6: White plays O-O, potentially aiming to secure the king's safety and potentially prepare for further maneuvers. Black's bishop moves to a6, aiming to target the c4 pawn and potentially create threats.

a4 Nbd7: White plays a4, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black's knight moves to d7, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially prepare for further maneuvers.

Bf4 Ne8: White's bishop moves to f4, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black's knight moves to e8, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially prepare for further maneuvers.

Re1 f5: White's rook moves to e1, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black plays f5, aiming to challenge White's center and potentially create threats.

g5 Ne5: White's pawn moves to g5, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black's knight moves to e5, aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense.

Nb5 Nc7: White's knight moves to b5, aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black plays Nc7, aiming to challenge White's knight and potentially create threats.

Nec3 Re8: White's knight moves to c3, aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black plays Re8, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially prepare for further maneuvers.

h4 Nxb5: White plays h4, potentially aiming to create threats and potentially reinforce the defense. Black captures the White knight on b5, maintaining material balance and potentially aiming to control important squares.

axb5 Bb7: White captures the Black knight on b5 with the axb5 move, maintaining material balance and potentially aiming to control important squares. Black's bishop moves to b7, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense.

Bf1 Re7: White's bishop moves to f1, aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black's rook moves to e7, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense.

Re3 Ng4: White's rook moves to e3, potentially aiming to control important squares and potentially reinforce the defense. Black's knight moves to g4, aiming to control important squares and potentially create threats.

The game continues, but no significant developments occur, and the players eventually agree to a draw on move 51.

Garry Kasparov vs. Fernandez Lopez Felix

PGN:

1. d4 c5 2. d5 g6 3. e4 e5 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 d6 6. Be2 Nf6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Nd2 O-O 9. Nc4 Ne8 10. O-O Nd7 11. a5 Qe7 12. Na4 f5 

13. exf5 gxf5 14. f4 e4 15. Ra3 Kh8 16. Rg3 Rb8 17. b3 Bf6 18. Bb2 Bxb2 19. Naxb2 Rg8 20. Rg5 h6 21. Rxg8+ Kxg8 

22. h3 Ndf6 23. Ne3 Ng7 24. g4 Bd7 25. Rf2 Rf8 26. Qd2 fxg4 27. hxg4 h5 28. g5 Ng4 29. Bxg4 Bxg4 30. Nbc4 Bf3 

31. Ng2 Nf5 32. Nce3 Qd7 33. b4 cxb4 34. Nxf5 Qxf5 35. Qxb4 Bxg2 36. Rxg2 Qxd5 37. Rd2 Qc5+ 38. Qxc5 dxc5 39. Rd5 Rxf4 40. Rxc5 Kg7

41. Re5 Kg6 42. Re7 Kxg5 43. Rxb7 Rf5 0-1

Key Takeaways & Analysis:

d4 c5: This is the beginning of the game known as the "Polish Opening" or "Polish Defense." Black immediately challenges White's central pawn with the idea of disrupting White's pawn structure.

d5 g6: Black continues to challenge White's central pawn with the "Polish Defense." Black aims to control the center and develop the bishop to g7.

e4 e5: Black mirrors White's pawn structure with the move e5. This move aims to control the center and support the development of the dark-squared bishop.

Nc3 a6: Black prepares to expand on the queenside by playing a6. This move also prevents White's knight from jumping to b5.

a4 d6: Black reinforces the pawn on e5 and prepares for possible pawn breaks in the center or on the queenside.

Be2 Nf6: Black develops the knight to f6, preparing to castle kingside. This move also allows the possibility of pawn breaks in the center with moves like e4 or d4.

Nf3 Bg7: Black develops the bishop to g7, aiming to control the long diagonal. This move also prepares for kingside castling.

Nd2 O-O: Black castles kingside, bringing the king to safety and connecting the rooks.

Nc4 Ne8: Black brings the knight back to e8, repositioning it to a more active square on g7 or f6.

O-O Nd7: Black develops the knight to d7, with the idea of supporting the pawn on e5 and preparing for possible pawn breaks or piece maneuvers.

a5 Qe7: Black retreats the queen to e7, freeing the d8 square for the rook and preparing to potentially support the pawn on e5.

Na4 f5: Black pushes the f-pawn forward, initiating a pawn break in the center. This move aims to open up lines for attacking White's kingside.

exf5 gxf5: White captures the f5 pawn, opening up the g-file and potentially weakening Black's pawn structure.

f4 e4: Black advances the e-pawn, solidifying control over the central squares and creating a strong pawn structure.

Ra3 Kh8: Black prepares to connect the rooks by moving the king to h8, also safeguarding it from potential back-rank threats.

Rg3 Rb8: Black develops the rook to b8, eyeing the open b-file and possibly preparing to exert pressure on White's queenside pawns.

b3 Bf6: Black moves the bishop to f6, reinforcing control over the e5 pawn and potentially preparing for kingside pawn breaks.

Bb2 Bxb2: Black captures the bishop on b2, aiming to eliminate a strong piece and potentially weaken White's pawn structure.

Naxb2 Rg8: Black doubles the rooks on the g-file, exerting pressure on the g2 pawn and reinforcing control over the g-file.

Rg5 h6: Black pushes the h-pawn forward, provoking weaknesses in White's pawn structure and potentially opening up lines for an attack.

Rxg8+ Kxg8: Black captures on g8 with the king, recapturing and solidifying control over the g-file.

h3 Ndf6: Black strengthens the knight's position on f6 and prepares to potentially advance the g-pawn or reroute the knight to a more active square.

Ne3 Ng7: Black repositions the knight to g7, reinforcing control over key central squares and preparing for potential piece maneuvers.

g4 Bd7: Black develops the bishop to d7, preparing to potentially challenge White's central pawns and opening lines for the rooks.

Rf2 Rf8: Black reinforces the f8 rook, preparing to potentially double rooks on the f-file or exert pressure on the f2 pawn.

Qd2 fxg4: Black captures the g4 pawn, opening up lines for the queen and potentially weakening White's pawn structure.

hxg4 h5: Black pushes the h-pawn forward, aiming to create weaknesses in White's kingside pawn structure and open lines for attacking possibilities.

g5 Ng4: Black captures on g5, creating an imbalance in the pawn structure and potentially aiming to exploit weaknesses in White's position.

Bxg4 Bxg4: Black captures on g4 with the bishop, aiming to eliminate a strong defender and potentially weaken White's kingside pawn structure.

Nbc4 Bf3: Black reinforces the bishop's position on f3, aiming to control key squares and exert pressure on White's position.

Ng2 Nf5: Black maneuvers the knight to f5, reinforcing control over central squares and potentially preparing for piece exchanges or further attacks.

Nce3 Qd7: Black centralizes the knight on d7, coordinating its activity and reinforcing control over key squares.

b4 cxb4: Black initiates a pawn break with cxb4, aiming to create imbalances in the pawn structure and open lines for attacking possibilities.

Nxf5 Qxf5: Black captures on f5, eliminating a central defender and further opening up lines for attacking possibilities.

Qxb4 Bxg2: Black captures on b4 with the bishop, aiming to eliminate a key defender and potentially weakening White's pawn structure.

Rxg2 Qxd5: Black captures on d5, exchanging material and potentially exploiting weaknesses in White's position.

Rd2 Qc5+: Black checks the king on c5, forcing it to move and potentially gaining tempo or advantageous piece placement.

Qxc5 dxc5: Black captures on d5, further simplifying the position and potentially gaining material advantage.

Rd5 Rxf4: Black captures on f4, aiming to gain material advantage and exploit weaknesses in White's position.

Rxc5 Kg7: Black captures on c5, further simplifying the position and potentially aiming to create passed pawns.

Re5 Kg6: Black centralizes the rook on e5, coordinating its activity and preparing to potentially invade White's position.

Re7 Kxg5: Black captures on e7, creating threats and potentially aiming to exploit weaknesses in White's position.

Rxb7 Rf5: Black captures on b7, aiming to gain material advantage and simplify the position.

0-1: White resigns. Black has a significant material advantage and is likely to convert it into a winning position.

Overall, in this game, Black demonstrated solid pawn structure and strategic planning, leading to favorable piece coordination and the creation of weaknesses in White's position. Black's well-executed pawn breaks and timely exchanges allowed for a gradual advantage, ultimately resulting in a winning position and White's resignation.

Nurai Sovetbeekova vs. Piotr Piesik

PGN:

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, the Old Benoni is a dynamic and aggressive chess opening that can lead to complex and exciting games. By understanding the basic principles of the Old Benoni, as well as its various move orders and variations, you can gain an advantage over your opponents and create interesting and challenging positions. We encourage you to experiment with the Old Benoni and try it out in your own games.

Additional Resources: 

If you want to learn more about the Old Benoni, we recommend the following resources:

• "Play the Benoni" by Neil McDonald

• "The Modern Benoni Revealed" by Chris Ward

• Chessgames.com for annotated games and variations