Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...c5

__NOTOC__ Old Benoni Defence rd nd bd qd kd bd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl bl nl rl 1. d4 c5 A43-A44 Queen's Pawn Opening 1...c5 - Old Benoni Defence/ Benoni Defense The Old Benoni Defense is quite rare and uncommon nowadays but can actually lead to a tactical and sharp game. Black takes a swipe with c5 and gambits a pawn for the exchange, develops, and gets pieces into the game. White normally responds with d5; taking the pawn is not recommended because of 2...e6, and if White tries defending, then a5 and White has no solutions to hold on to pawns while Black gains a tempo. This opening is quite rare nowadays. One idea for Black is to transpose to a Modern Benoni while avoiding the Four Pawn Attack (that is, variations with an early f2-f4 for White). Black can fianchetto his King's Bishop, and only after White plays Nf3 blocking an f-pawn, continue with ... e6 and ... exd5. Another idea for Black is to keep the h8-a1 diagonal of Black's bishop open by delaying ... Nf6. Black could then play ... Ne7 instead of ... Nf6, or possibly, if White plays an early Nc3, give up his bishop by ... Bc3 to double the pawns. Theory table . 1. d4 c5 2 3 4 5 6 1 d5d6 c4 g6 Nc3 Bg7 Nf3 Bxc3!? bxc3 Nf6 King's Indian Benoni 2 Nc3 g6 e4 Bg7 Nf3 Bxc3!? bxc3 Nf6 = Schmid Benoni 3 d5e5 e4d6 Nc3Be7 Nf3Bg4 h3+/= Czech Benoni 4 e3- = 5 dxc5e6 = References Benoni Defence Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. 1-8574-4221-0. Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. 0-8129-3084-3. fi:Shakki/rnbqkbnr;pp1ppppp;8;2p5;3P4;8;PPP1PPPP;RNBQKBNR w KQkq