Benoni: 3.d5 g6 – Modern Benoni
Benoni: 3.d5 g6
Definition
“Benoni: 3.d5 g6” refers to the modern move-order of the Benoni Defence that arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6. Black voluntarily closes the centre with 3…g6, preparing a kingside fianchetto and accepting a spatial disadvantage on the queenside in exchange for dynamic counterplay on the dark squares and down the half-open e- and f- files.
Typical Move-Order
A standard sequence (many transpositions are possible) is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 c5
- 3. d5 g6
- 4. Nc3 Bg7
- 5. e4 d6
- 6. Nf3 O-O
- 7. Be2 e6
- 8. O-O exd5
- 9. cxd5 Re8 — arriving in the mainline Modern Benoni.
Other branches include the Fianchetto Variation (4.g3), the Taimanov (4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 O-O 6.Nf3 e6 7.Be2 exd5 8.cxd5 Re8 9.Nd2) and the aggressive Four-Pawn Attack (4.f3).
Strategic Themes
- Imbalance of space. White enjoys extra room on the queenside (a2–c4–d5 chain), while Black aims for piece activity and pawn breaks.
- Key pawn breaks. Black’s thematic …e6 and …b5; White’s counterplay revolves around e4-e5, f2-f4, and sometimes b2-b4.
- Piece placement. Black’s dark-squared bishop on g7 is the soul of his position, staring at the d4-square and often supporting …f5 or …e6-e5.
- King safety. Both sides castle short, but attacks can flare up quickly. A well-timed Bf4 or Bb5+ by White or …Re8-e7-h8 followed by …h5-h4 by Black are common motifs.
Historical Context
The name “Benoni” (“son of sorrow” in Hebrew) appeared in A. F. Vansittart’s 1825 chess manuscript. The modern 3…g6 system, however, caught fire only in the mid-20th century after Tal, Fischer and later Kasparov employed it to play for a win with Black. Its reputation has swung wildly: regarded as dubious in the 1970s, revitalised by computer analysis in the 2000s, and today considered perfectly playable but razor-sharp.
Illustrative Games
-
Mikhail Tal – Bobby Fischer, Candidates, Bled 1961
Tal’s energetic 12.f4! broke open the centre before Black could organise …b5, demonstrating the dangers Black faces if behind in development. -
Michael Adams – Garry Kasparov, Linares 1993
Kasparov’s model treatment of the modern Benoni: …Re8, …Na6, …Nc7, and a timely …b5 gave Black full counterplay and eventually the point. -
Viktor Bologan – Vassily Ivanchuk, Dortmund 2003
A heavyweight theoretical duel in the Fianchetto Variation featuring the exchange sacrifice …Rxb5, illustrating the dynamic spirit of the opening.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Clamp down on …b5 with a4 and prevent …e6-e5.
- Expand with f2-f4 and e4-e5 to open lines against Black’s king.
- Occupy the c4-square with a knight or bishop to buttress the d5-pawn.
- For Black
- Break with …b5; if allowed, the queenside majority can become a passed pawn.
- Target d5 via …Re8, …Na6-c7, …Bg4 and sometimes …Qe7.
- Seek kingside initiative through …f5 or piece sacrifices on e4/f4.
Common Pitfalls
- Passive play. If Black hesitates to play …b5 or …e6, White’s space advantage may suffocate him.
- Underestimating e4-e5. When Black’s king and queen are on the same diagonal, e4-e5 can win material.
- Ignoring a4. Allowing a quick a4 from White can make …b5 impossible and cripple Black’s queenside play.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The Benoni once carried such a risky reputation that some Soviet coaches called it the “coffin” — yet Tal and Fischer insisted it was the perfect weapon to play for a win with Black.
- Garry Kasparov revived the opening with engine assistance in the early 1990s; his spectacular wins led to a surge of popularity in tournament practice.
- In top computer chess, engines still enjoy the Benoni because precise defence is easier for silicon than humans — a curious reversal of its “too sharp for mortals” image.
In a Nutshell
3…g6 in the Benoni is a double-edged commitment: Black concedes space but gains long-term pressure on dark squares and unbalanced pawn structures. Perfect for players who welcome complexity and are willing to memorise theory and calculate accurately at the board.