Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation
Definition
The Leningrad Variation is an aggressive branch of the Nimzo-Indian that begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5. White immediately pins the knight on f6, making it harder for Black to strike with …d5 and laying the groundwork for central or queenside expansion. The system was refined by Soviet masters from Leningrad (today’s St Petersburg) in the mid-20th century, hence the name.
Main Ideas & Typical Plans
- Early Pin: 4.Bg5 hamstrings Black’s …d5 break and can provoke structural concessions.
- Benoni Transposition: After 4…c5 5.d5 the game often morphs into a razor-sharp Benoni structure, sometimes called the “Leningrad Benoni.”
- Bishop Pair vs. Structure: Black must decide whether to surrender the bishop pair with …Bxc3+ or maintain tension.
- Delayed Castling: Both sides frequently postpone castling to keep options flexible for a kingside pawn storm or central break.
Theoretical Branches
- 4…c5 5.d5 – the critical line leading to dynamic Benoni play.
- 4…h6 5.Bh4 c5 – Black forces the bishop to state its intentions first.
- 4…c5 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4 – a more controlled central struggle.
Historical & Strategic Significance
The variation was a favorite of Botvinnik, Geller, and Korchnoi when they sought winning chances with White without walking into the deepest Nimzo theory of their day. Garry Kasparov rejuvenated the line in the 1990s, unleashing novelties that engines at the time could not fully appreciate, making it a dangerous surprise weapon once more.
Illustrative Game (sample moves)
Interesting Facts
- ECO classifies the position after 4.Bg5 as codes E32–E33; if play continues with …c5 5.d5 it can jump to A56, illustrating how fluid opening boundaries can be.
- Because Black’s c-pawn advances so early, the structure sometimes resembles the Dutch (after …f5) or even the Modern Defense depending on Black’s setup.
- In computer databases, White scores slightly above 55 % in this variation, reflecting persistent practical pressure despite theoretical balance.
Benoni Defense
Definition
The Benoni Defense arises after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6. Following 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 we reach the Modern Benoni, marked by the locked pawn center (White pawns on d5 & c4 vs. Black pawns on d6 & e6) and mutual chances on opposite wings.
Key Features
- Space Imbalance: White enjoys queenside space; Black gains dynamic piece play and a half-open e-file.
- Fianchetto Power: Black’s …g6 …Bg7 battery targets the e5- and b2-squares, compensating for cramped space.
- Pawn Breaks: Typical Black counter-thrusts include …b5 and …f5; White aims for b4, f4–f5, or piece pressure on e5.
Main Systems
- Classical (7.e4 g6 8.Nf3 Bg7 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Re8)
- Taimanov Attack (7.f4) – immediate kingside expansion.
- Fianchetto Variation (7.g3) – a positional line restraining …b5.
- Four-Pawns-Type Set-ups – rare but extremely aggressive.
Historical Highlights
- Mikhail Tal used the Benoni to out-maneuver Bobby Fischer in Bled 1960.
- Garry Kasparov adopted it in the 1980s World Championship cycle to increase complexity against Karpov.
- Modern exponents include Veselin Topalov and Richard Rapport, who keep the opening’s reputation for fireworks alive.
Classic Game Excerpt
Interesting Facts
- The word “Benoni” comes from Hebrew for “son of sorrow,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to Black’s structural concessions.
- Soviet trainers once discouraged the opening for being “unsound,” but Tal famously defied the ban—and won.
- Neural-network engines (e.g., Leela, Stockfish NNUE) now rate many Benoni positions as roughly equal, breathing new life into a formerly suspect defense.
- Related systems include the Old Benoni (…c5 without …Nf6) and the Czech Benoni (…e6, …c5, …e5), each with unique strategic themes.