Old Benoni: Czech, 3.c4 d6

Old Benoni: Czech Variation (1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. c4 d6)

Definition

The Old Benoni – Czech Variation is a branch of the Old Benoni Defence that arises after the moves 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. c4 d6. By transposition or choice, Black often follows up with ...e5, arriving at the pawn structure associated with the Czech Benoni while sidestepping some highly-theoretical Benoni main lines. The position is catalogued under ECO code A44.

Move Order & Key Ideas

The opening sequence typically proceeds:

1. 1. d4 c5 – Black immediately challenges the d-pawn.
2. 2. d5 – White gains space and clamps down on ...d5.
3. ...Nf6 – Attacks d5 and accelerates development.
4. 3. c4 – White builds a broad pawn centre, threatening Nc3 and e4.
5. ...d6 – Bolsters the f6-knight, prepares ...e5, and creates a solid “Czech wall.”

From here, the most common follow-ups are 4. Nc3 g6 (heading for a King’s Indian–flavoured set-up) or 4. Nc3 e5, the pure Czech Benoni structure. Black’s strategic goal is to strike at White’s centre with ...b5 or ...f5 while keeping the position closed long enough to finish development.

Strategic Themes

• “Czech Wall” Pawn Chain: The pawns on d6–e5–c5 form a dark-square wall that restrains White’s centre and limits piece mobility.
• Maneuvring Play: Because pawn breaks are slow to appear, both sides regroup behind the pawn chains—typical manoeuvres include ...Nh5–f5 for Black and Nd2–c4 or f2–f4 for White.
• Queenside vs. Kingside: White usually presses on the queenside with Rb1 and b4, whereas Black aims for kingside activity with ...f5, ...g5, and sometimes timely pawn sacrifices.
• Piece Placement: Black’s light-squared bishop often lands on g7; the dark-squared bishop may head to e7 or sometimes h6 after ...Nh5. White’s light-squared bishop typically develops to g2 or e2, supporting e4.

Historical Notes

The word “Ben-Oni” is Hebrew for “son of sorrow,” first used in Boardman’s 1825 translation of Aaron Reinganum’s analysis of 1. d4 c5. The “Czech” moniker references the popularity of the e5-plus-d6 pawn structure among Czech masters in the early 20^th century, most notably Flohr and Hromádka. Modern adherents include grandmasters Sergei Tiviakov and Emil Sutovsky, who employ it as a surprise weapon.

Illustrative Game & Example

Tiviakov – Lutz, Bundesliga 2001

In this instructive encounter, Black fianchettoed the king’s bishop à la King’s Indian and later broke with ...b5, obtaining piece play on the queenside. White eventually seized the central d6-square, highlighting the eternal tension between space and solidity in the Czech Benoni.

Typical Plans for Both Sides

• White
  • Expand on the queenside: Rb1, a3, b4.
  • Advance e2–e4–f4, fixing Black’s structure and opening the centre.
  • Occupy d5 with a knight if Black ever exchanges on d5.
  • Trade dark-squared bishops to weaken Black’s dark squares.
• Black
  • Prepare ...f5 (or ...b5) with manoeuvres ...Nh5, ...f5 or ...Rb8, ...a6, ...b5.
  • Keep the centre closed until pieces are harmoniously placed.
  • Use the g7-bishop to pressure b2, d4, and sometimes h2.
  • Counter-sacrifice on e4 or b4 to open files at the right moment.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• GM Emil Sutovsky once quipped that the Czech Benoni is “the King’s Indian for people who simply refuse to let White play c4–c5.”
• Because the line avoids the sharp Taimanov and Modern Benoni systems, it is a favourite of players who enjoy complex manoeuvring without memorising heavy theory.
• The set-up inspired computer scientists: early versions of the program Rebel often chose 3...d6 against human grandmasters to steer the game into quieter waters it understood well.