Benoni Defense: Old Benoni

Benoni Defense: Old Benoni

Definition

The Old Benoni is a queen-pawn opening that begins with the asymmetrical pawn thrust 1…c5 against White’s initial move 1. d4. The defining position usually arises after 1. d4 c5 2. d5, when Black has voluntarily ceded space in the center but hopes to undermine White’s pawn wedge from the flanks. It is distinct from the far more popular Modern Benoni (which reaches similar structures via 1…Nf6 2…c5 3…e6) and from the solid Czech Benoni (…e6 and …d6 setups).

Typical Move Order

A common sequence is:

• 1. d4 c5
  2. d5 Nf6
  3. c4 e6
  4. Nc3 exd5
  5. cxd5 d6
  6. Nf3 g6

The early …c5 immediately challenges the d4-pawn and fixes a long-term spatial imbalance: White enjoys more room in the center and on the queenside; Black seeks dynamic counterplay by attacking the d5-pawn, opening the h8–a1 diagonal, and striking at the dark squares.

Strategic Themes

• Pawn Structure: After 2. d5, the central pawns usually stand d5 (White) versus d6 (Black). White holds a space advantage, while Black’s half-open c-file and pressure on e4 can become useful attacking avenues.
• Piece Play: Black often fianchettoes the king’s bishop to g7, aiming at the center and queenside. Knights are typically developed to d7/b6 (queenside) and f6/h5 (kingside) to hit c4 and e4.
• Breaks: Black’s main pawn breaks are …b5 (queenside expansion) and …f5 (kingside counterplay). White tries to advance e4-e5 or push b2-b4 to clamp the position.
• Endgames: Because of the spatial edge, many endgames favor White if exchanges occur too early. Black therefore postpones simplifications until active pieces can compensate.

Historical Background

The name “Benoni” (“son of my sorrow” in Hebrew, from Genesis 35:18) was first used in A. Cohen’s 1825 chess manuscript Ben-Oni, oder die Vertheidigungen gegen die Gambitzüge im Schache. The Old Benoni—directly 1…c5—was fashionable in the 19th century but gradually lost favor as positional understanding advanced. With Steinitzian principles emphasizing central control, many masters considered Black’s early concession of space too risky. Nevertheless, several creative players—most notably Mikhail Tal, Bent Larsen, and, in rapid games, Levon Aronian—occasionally revived the defense to surprise opponents.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following short attacking win for Black highlights typical ideas:

Key motifs: Black fianchettoes, strikes with …c4 and …Nh5–f4, and exploits the long diagonal after opening lines.

Practical Usage

Today the Old Benoni is a rare but playable surprise weapon, especially in rapid or blitz:

• Club Level: Many opponents lack specific preparation; the immediate asymmetry can steer the game away from theory.
• Master Level: Used sparingly to avoid heavy engine preparation—e.g., Richard Rapport vs. Ding Liren, Tata Steel 2017 (Rapport employed 1…c5 and drew).
• Engine Evaluation: Modern engines rate the starting position after 1…c5 as roughly +0.4 to +0.6 for White, confirming a small but manageable edge.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• When Garry Kasparov analyzed the Benoni family in My Great Predecessors, he joked that the Old Benoni is “one move older and several evaluations worse” than the Modern Benoni—but still a fertile ground for creative minds.
• In the 1960 USSR Championship, Mikhail Tal used a hybrid Old Benoni move order to defeat Vitaly Chekhover, sacrificing a pawn for rapid development and delivering a trademark attacking victory.
• Because Black’s c-pawn advances on move one, some players call the opening the “immediate Benoni” or “Caro–Benoni,” alluding to the Caro-Kann’s 1…c6 but with more ambition (and risk!).

Summary

The Old Benoni (1. d4 c5) is an ambitious, offbeat reply to 1. d4 that concedes central space in return for sharp, dynamic play on the wings and along dark squares. While objectively a little suspect, its strategic richness and surprise value ensure it will remain a quirky but enduring member of the Benoni family.