Benoni Defense: Modern Classical, Averbakh & Grivas Attack
Benoni Defense
Definition
The Benoni Defense is a combative reply to 1.d4 that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. Black willingly accepts a spatial disadvantage in the center in return for dynamic counter-play based on piece activity, pawn breaks (…b5 and …f5) and pressure on the long dark-square diagonal a1–h8. The opening is classified under ECO codes A56–A79; the line beginning with …e6 and an early …exd5 is known specifically as the “Modern Benoni.”
Typical Move-Order & Position
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 produces the modern tabiya. White owns a majestic pawn chain d5–e4, while Black enjoys the half-open e-file, the fianchettoed bishop, and potential breaks with …b5 or …f5.
Strategic Themes
- Pawn structure: The fixed center makes plans fairly clear; play revolves around pawn levers rather than center occupation.
- Piece activity vs. space: Black’s minor pieces often out-shine White’s cramped forces once the bishops are unleashed.
- Square complexes: White usually plays for the d5–e4–f4 wedge and outposts on c4/e4, whereas Black fights for …b5 and the d-file.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
The name “Benoni” (Hebrew for “son of sorrow”) first appeared in Aaron Reinganum’s 1825 treatise. The defense periodically went in and out of fashion—prominent champions include Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer, and Garry Kasparov. Computer engines evaluate the resulting positions more critically for Black today, but at the human level the Benoni remains an uncompromising fighting weapon.
Illustrative Mini-Game
[[Pgn|1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+ Nbd7 9.e5 dxe5 10.fxe5 Nh5 11.e6 Qh4+ 12.g3 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Qxh1 14.exd7+ Bxd7 15.Qe2+ Kd8 16.Bg5+ Kc8 17.Bxd7+ Kxd7 18.Qe7+ Kc8 19.O-O-O |fen|2kr4/2q3bp/3p2p1/2P4n/3Q4/2N5/PP3PPP/2KR3R b - - 0 19]]The line shows both the razor-sharp nature of the Benoni and White’s typical kingside pawn storms.
Trivia
• Kasparov stated in interviews that the Benoni “helped him learn how to
play dynamically under pressure.”
• Modern correspondence games often see the thematic pawn sacrifice
…b5! as early as move 7, endorsed by engines.
Modern Classical Variation (Benoni)
Definition
The Modern Classical Variation is a principal line of the Modern Benoni in which White develops the king’s bishop to d3—often preceded by h3 to blunt …Bg4—aiming for flexible central control and a quick kingside initiative. A representative move-order is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Bd3 O-O.
Key Ideas for Both Sides
- White bolsters the e4-pawn with Re1 and Bf4, plays Nd2–c4, and often starts a kingside pawn storm with Bf1–e2, Nd2-c4, f2-f4.
- Black counters with …Re8, …Na6-c7 and the thematic breaks …b5 or …c4. The light-squared bishop frequently drops to d7 (preventing Nb5) before …b5.
Historical Significance
Popularised in the 1980s by the English grandmasters Julian Hodgson and John Nunn, the Modern Classical became the main battle-ground of Benoni theory for decades. Its sound positional footing made it the first choice of Anatoly Karpov and Vladimir Kramnik whenever they faced the Benoni.
Notable Encounter
Karpov – Topalov, Linares 1994 is a textbook demonstration: Karpov rerouted a knight to c4, broke with f4-f5, and converted a positional grip into a decisive attack.
Fun Fact
Because the bishop on d3 “stares” at h7 from the very start, club players sometimes nickname this line the “Benoni Bishop Bear-Trap”—one misstep by Black (…Re8?, …h6?) and sacrifices on g6 or h7 loom large.
Averbakh Variation (King’s Indian Defense)
Definition
The Averbakh Variation of the King’s Indian Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5. Named after the Russian GM and endgame theorist Yuri Averbakh, the line places an early pin on the knight at f6, discouraging …e5 and steering play away from the heavily-analysed Mar del Plata structures.
Strategic Outlook
- White builds a broad center with f2-f4 or d4-d5, enjoys easier development, and may castle long if a direct attack beckons.
- Black chooses between solid plans (…c5 or …Nbd7/…e5 breaking the pin) and sharper pawn sacrifices like the trendy 6…c5!?.
Theory & Developments
Computers have breathed new life into Black’s chances by advocating early …h6 and …c6 ideas. Nevertheless, the Averbakh remains a rock-solid weapon for White players wishing to avoid the razor-sharp main lines of the King’s Indian.
Famous Games
• Averbakh – Kotov, USSR Ch. 1952: the inventor defeats a leading
contemporary with a thematic kingside pawn storm.
• Kramnik – Kasparov, Dortmund 1996: Kramnik’s positional squeeze
showed the line’s potential at elite level.
Anecdote
Yuri Averbakh joked that he created this variation because he was “too lazy” to learn the reams of King’s Indian theory in the 1950s—yet his “lazy man’s system” is still considered one of the most testing lines 70 years later!
Grivas Attack (Sicilian Defense)
Definition
The Grivas Attack is an aggressive sideline against the Sicilian Defense, often reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.b4!?. White immediately sacrifices the b-pawn to rip open queenside lines and exploit the loopholes created by Black’s early kingside fianchetto. The idea was introduced and analysed extensively by Greek GM Efstratios Grivas, from whom it takes its name.
Main Tactical Points
- If 5…Bxa1 6.c3 regains the piece with rapid development (Qa4+, d4, Ba3) and enduring initiative.
- Should Black decline with 5…Nxb4?! or 5…cxb4?, White’s rook lifts (Rb1) and pressure on the a1–h8 diagonal become lethal.
- The move fits snugly into the Rossolimo-Moscow move order, avoiding the Sveshnikov and other heavyweight Sicilian main lines.
Strategic Considerations
The pawn sacrifice grants White: (a) a lead in development, (b) open files for the a-rook, (c) control of the central dark squares (especially d5). Black, in turn, strives for material consolidation and counter-play with …e6 or …d6 followed by …Nge7 and rapid castling.
Noteworthy Encounters
• Grivas – Spyridon Skembris, Greek Ch. 1996: the inventor scores a
model victory, demonstrating the power of the long diagonal.
• Caruana – Andreikin, Dortmund 2014: elite-level test; Black
declined the pawn yet still suffered due to lagging development.
Interesting Tidbits
• In online blitz the line has earned the nickname “the Greek Gift
Gambit”—not to be confused with the classical Bxh7+ sacrifice.
• Engines rate the immediate pawn grab as playable for Black, but practical
results overwhelmingly favour the attacking side according to
.