Benoni: 6.e4 g6 7.h3

Benoni: 6.e4 g6 7.h3

Definition

The sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. h3 leads to a branch of the Modern Benoni Defence known variously as the h3-Variation, Taimanov Variation, or Knaak Variation. White’s seventh move, h2–h3, prevents …Bg4, secures the g4-square for White pieces or pawns, and keeps options open for a later f2–f4 or g2–g4 storm. The idea was popularised by GM Mark Taimanov during the 1960s and remains a respected anti-Benoni system.

Typical Move Order

Most games reach the position after:

• 1. d4 Nf6
• 2. c4 c5
• 3. d5 e6
• 4. Nc3 exd5
• 5. cxd5 d6
• 6. e4 g6
• 7. h3 – the defining move

An illustrative miniature of the tabiya is included here:
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Strategic Ideas

• Stopping …Bg4. By denying Black’s dark-squared bishop an active post, White can leave the knight on f3 undefended and freely develop Bd3 or Be2 without tactical concessions.
• Control of g4. The square g4 may later be occupied by a knight (Nh2–g4) or a pawn (g2–g4), aiding kingside space‐gain and direct attacks.
• Flexible central play. The semi-open e-file and pawn wedge on d5/e4 give White thematic breaks with e4-e5 or f2-f4, while Black relies on …b5 or …f5 to counter.
• Typical piece placement. White often continues Nf3, Bd3 or Be2, 0-0, Re1, Bf4, while Black responds with …Bg7, …0-0, …Re8, …Nbd7, and …a6–b5.

Historical Background

Although forms of the Modern Benoni date back to the 19th century, the specific 7.h3 idea rose to prominence thanks to Soviet grandmasters in the 1960s, especially Mark Taimanov. Later, East German GM Rainer Knaak used it successfully, prompting English-language texts to label the line the “Knaak System.” In modern praxis it is a main weapon against the Benoni, employed by elite players such as Gelfand, Grischuk, and Nakamura.

Typical Plans for White

1. Rapid development: Nf3, Be2/Bd3, 0-0.
2. Queenside clamp: a2–a4 to discourage …b5, often followed by Nd2–c4 to anchor on e5 or d6.
3. Kingside expansion: f2–f4, sometimes g2–g4, aiming for e4-e5 and a mating attack on the dark squares.
4. Central pressure: Re1, Bf4, Qd2, with pieces piling on the e- and d-files.

Typical Plans for Black

1. Fianchetto harmony: …Bg7, …0-0, followed by …Re8 and …Nbd7 to reinforce the e5 square.
2. Queenside counterplay: …a6–b5 (Benko-style) to undermine White’s pawn chain.
3. Piece activity: …Bg7, …Na6–c7–b5 or …Nh5–f4 to seize key outposts.
4. Tactical breaks: …f7–f5 in the centre/kingside, especially after White plays f2-f4.

Illustrative Games

• Kasparov – Piket, Tilburg 1997: Kasparov demonstrated a model kingside assault beginning with h3, Bd3, Re1, and a crushing e4-e5 break.
• Nakamura – Ivanchuk, Monaco Rapid 2011: White’s h3 system stifled Black’s …Bg4, allowing Nakamura to seize space with g4 and conduct a textbook Benoni bind.
• Gelfand – Radjabov, Candidates 2013: A high-level drawing line where both sides followed theory deep into an endgame, showing the robustness of the variation for each colour.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The move 7.h3 is surprisingly multi-purpose; it not only stops …Bg4 but sets subtle traps—if Black carelessly plays 7…Bg7 8.Bb5+!, White can force concessions.
• World Champion Magnus Carlsen has used the h3-Benoni as both White and Black, preferring it in rapid events to steer the game into less-analyzed territory.
• Computer engines used to be sceptical of the Modern Benoni in general; however, neural-network engines (e.g., Leela Chess Zero) now judge the 7.h3 line more favourably for Black than older table-driven engines did.
• Because the move 7.h3 is prophylactic, early Benoni textbooks nicknamed the system “the modest Taimanov,” illustrating that a quiet pawn push can have deep positional bite.

Summary

The Benoni h3-Variation is a flexible, strategically rich system in which a single pawn move—h2-h3—shapes the entire middlegame battle. It curbs Black’s typical counterplay, grants White extra kingside options, and has been a mainstay of top-level praxis for more than half a century. Whether used as a surprise weapon or a main repertoire choice, 7.h3 remains one of the most important answers to the Modern Benoni today.