Benoni: 3.d5 a6
Benoni: 3.d5 a6
Definition
The move sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 a6 marks a branch of the Benoni family sometimes called the Schmid Benoni, Czech Benoni, or simply the Benoni with 3…a6. Black immediately prevents White from occupying the b5-square (the usual post for a white knight or pawn in many Benoni structures) and prepares …b5 in return. It differs from the more popular Modern Benoni (3…e6) in both pawn structure and pace: instead of challenging the d5-pawn at once, Black plays a waiting move that shapes the middlegame around the queenside majority.
Typical Move Order
A common, fully developed move order is:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 a6 4.Nc3 e5 (or 4…b5)
At this point the center is locked: White’s pawn chain is d5–c4–b2, while Black’s is d6–e5 (if …e5 is played) behind a solid …a6–…b5 wall. The resulting structure shares traits with the King’s Indian Defense, the Modern Benoni, and even the French Advance.
Strategic Themes
- Queenside Expansion. Black plays …a6 specifically to follow up with …b5. If successful, this can open the b-file, strain White’s c4-pawn, and create a useful square on c5 for a knight or bishop.
- Locked Center & Pawn Chains. After …e5 (or sometimes …d6 followed by …e5), the center is blocked. Plans revolve around pawn breaks such as f2-f4 for White and …f7-f5 or …b5-b4 for Black.
- Space versus Solidity. White enjoys extra space on the queenside and center, but Black’s structure is hard to crack and offers latent counterplay on both wings.
- Piece Placement. White usually develops with Nf3, g3, Bg2, e4, while Black often fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop to g7 or keeps it on e7 to reinforce the d6–e5 chain.
Historical Notes
• The line was experimented with by Czech and German masters in the early 20th century, hence the name Czech Benoni. • Grandmaster Lothar Schmid, a leading Benoni expert in the 1950s-70s (and arbiter of the 1972 Fischer-Spassky match), played it frequently, lending his name to the variation. • Top players such as Vlastimil Hort, Ulf Andersson, and occasionally Garry Kasparov have tested the system, mainly as a surprise weapon.
Illustrative Example
The following miniature shows how quickly Black can seize the initiative on the queenside:
Black’s 7…b4! drives the knight away and unleashes the dark-squared bishop; once the center remains closed, the queenside pawns act as a spearhead.
Practical Guidelines
- White should decide early whether to strike in the center with e2-e4 (intending f2-f4 later) or adopt a slower fianchetto setup with g3.
- Black must time …b5 precisely— not only to gain space but also to avoid allowing axb5 which might open lines before development is complete.
- Both sides watch the f-file: a well-prepared …f7-f5 break can equalize or even tilt the game in Black’s favor; conversely, White’s f2-f4 sometimes crashes through once the g1-a7 diagonal is opened.
Famous Encounters
- Hort – Schmid, Varna Olympiad 1962. A theoretical duel between two specialists; Schmid’s thematic …b5 advance neutralized White’s space advantage and the game was drawn after massive queenside exchanges.
- Kasparov – Andersson, Tilburg 1981. Kasparov tested the line with White, castling queenside and launching g2-g4, illustrating that aggressive kingside plans can combat Black’s solidity.
Interesting Facts
- In the original Czech sources the move …a6 was recommended with the comment “trpělivý tah” (a patient move), emphasizing Black’s long-term strategy over immediate action.
- Modern engines fluctuate in their verdict: in rapid depth the line is often scored as slightly better for White, but at extreme depth some engines see resourceful dynamic balance for Black, leading to a recent uptick in practical use at correspondence level.
Summary
The Benoni with 3…a6 is a resilient, strategically complex answer to 3.d5. By holding back the central break and focusing on queenside structure, Black forces White to prove an advantage in a locked center. Players who relish maneuvering battles, pawn breaks, and long-term plans will find this variation both challenging and rewarding.