Benoni: Four Pawns, Taimanov, 8...Nfd7
Benoni: Four Pawns
Definition
The Four Pawns Attack in the Benoni Defence is a sharp system beginning with the move-sequence
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4.
By advancing the c-, d-, e- and f-pawns, White seizes enormous central space and prepares a direct kingside assault, while Black relies on piece activity and pawn breaks to undermine the centre.
Strategic themes
- Space vs. Counterplay – White’s pawn phalanx cramps Black, but those pawns can also become targets.
- Typical Black ideas – ...Bg7, ...O-O, ...Re8, ...Na6-c7, ...b5 and ...f5 are standard tries to chip away at the centre.
- Typical White ideas – e4-e5 or f4-f5 to open lines, queenside castling in some lines, and piece sacrifices on e5 or f5 to keep the initiative.
Historical notes
The system became fashionable in the 1960s and 1970s when players such as Lajos Portisch and Kenneth Rogoff wielded it successfully. As engines improved, new defensive resources for Black (especially ...Re8 and delayed ...Na6) cooled its popularity, but it remains a fearsome practical weapon.
Illustrative game
[[Pgn|d4|Nf6|c4|c5|d5|e6|Nc3|exd5|cxd5|d6|e4|g6|f4|Bg7|Nf3|O-O|Be2|Re8|e5|dxe5|fxe5|Ng4|Bg5|Qa5|O-O|Nxe5|Nxe5|Bxe5|Bxg4|Bxh2+|Kxh2|Bxg4|Qxg4|Rxe5|Qf4|Rf5|Qe3|Nd7|Rxf5|gxf5|Rf1|Nf6|Rxf5|Ng4+|Qg3|Qxf5|Be7|Re8|d6|Bd4+ |arrows|f4f5,d4d5|squares|e5,b7,f7|]]The game (MVL – Tabatabaei, FIDE Grand Swiss 2019) shows how Black’s counterplay on the dark squares can succeed if White over-extends.
Interesting facts
- The Benoni Four Pawns is a cousin of the Four Pawns Attack versus the King’s Indian Defence; many plans are transferable between the two openings.
- Modern engines often recommend the surprising pawn sacrifice 8...Nfd7 9. Be2 c4!?, yielding a passed pawn for lasting dark-square pressure.
Taimanov
Definition
When used without qualification, “Taimanov” almost always denotes the Sicilian Defence, Taimanov Variation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6.
Named after Soviet grandmaster and concert pianist Mark Taimanov, the line is prized for its flexibility. Black postpones committing the d-pawn, allowing transpositions to Scheveningen or Kan structures.
Main continuations
- 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 – The English Attack set-up, often followed by f3, Qd2 and long castling.
- 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 – The English Variation, squeezing space on the queenside.
- 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 – Fischer’s classical approach, planning c4 and f4.
Strategic aims
- Black keeps a sound structure, eyes the d4-square and chooses between ...a6 (transition to Kan), ...d6 (Scheveningen) or the ambitious ...d5 break.
- White enjoys a small lead in development and tries to generate an attack before Black solves the central tension.
Historical significance
First championed in the 1950s, the Taimanov became a favourite of Garry Kasparov in his youth. Today it remains in the repertoires of elite players such as Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, in part because engines confirm its dynamism.
Famous example
[[Pgn|e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nc6|Nc3|Qc7|Be3|a6|f3|Nf6|Qd2|b5|O-O-O|Bb7|g4|h6|h4|Ne5|Be2|Rc8|Kb1|b4|Na4|d5|g5|Nfd7|exd5|Bxd5|f4|Nc4|Bxc4|Qxc4 |arrows|c6d4,f6e4|squares|d4,e4,h6|]]Carlsen – Karjakin, Wijk aan Zee 2013, demonstrates Modern Taimanov theory, with Black employing ...a6–b5 to seize queenside play.
Trivia
- Mark Taimanov once defeated Botvinnik with the line that later bore his name—an unusual honour in Soviet chess culture.
- The difference between the Taimanov and the Kan is a single tempo: in the Kan Black inserts ...a6 before ...Nc6.
8...Nfd7
Definition
8...Nfd7 designates a characteristic knight retreat—usually from f6 to d7 in one move—found in several openings. It often appears after the sequence ...Nf6–g8 and the subsequent development of the knight to f6, before it “slides” back to d7 on move 8.
Typical contexts
- King’s Indian Defence, Classical (“Karpov”)
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Nfd7 - Benoni, Four Pawns
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bb5+ Nfd7 - Grünfeld Defence, Russian System
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 Bf5 6. Qa4+ Nbd7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. g3 Nfd7
Strategic purpose
- Freeing the f-pawn – Prepares ...f7-f5 in the King’s Indian and some Benoni lines.
- Re-routing – From d7 the knight can jump to c5, e5 or f6 with improved prospects.
- Solidifying the centre – Over-protects e5 (or d6) and clears the long diagonal for the bishop on g7.
Historical highlights
The move was popularised at top level by Viktor Korchnoi and later refined by Anatoly Karpov, whose 1974 Candidates match against Korchnoi featured several games with 8...Nfd7. Engines initially criticised the retreat, but modern evaluations show it to be fully playable and strategically rich.
Example snapshot
[[Pgn|d4|Nf6|c4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|e4|d6|Nf3|O-O|Be2|e5|O-O|Nc6|d5|Nfd7 |arrows|f6d7,f7f5|squares|e5]]The diagram shows the main King’s Indian tabiya after 8...Nfd7: the f-file is ready for ...f5, and the d7-knight eyes c5 and e5.
Anecdotes
- In Kasparov – Karpov, WCh 1985 (†14), 8...Nfd7 came under ferocious scrutiny by Kasparov’s bishops, yet Karpov held an instructive draw, bolstering the line’s reputation.
- Because the move looks passive, club players sometimes mock it as the “back-seat driver,” but masters appreciate its prophylactic subtleties.