Old Benoni: Schmidt, 3.Nf3

Old Benoni: Schmidt, 3.Nf3

Definition

The line known as the Old Benoni: Schmidt, 3.Nf3 arises after the moves 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. Nf3. It is a sub-variation of the Old Benoni Defence (ECO A43–A44) in which Black fianchettoing or ...e6 structures are still possible, but White chooses the modest 3.Nf3 instead of the sharper 3.Nc3. The name “Schmidt” is generally attributed to the German master Johann Wilhelm Schmidt, who advocated the early development of the king’s knight to f3 as a way to keep options open while guarding d4 and e5.

Main Move-Order and Position after 3…e6

A very common continuation is:

1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 leading to a structure that can resemble a restrained King’s Indian or a French-type set-up with colours reversed. White has a space advantage on the queenside and in the centre, whereas Black enjoys a solid pawn chain and latent counterplay along the half-open c-file and the e-file.

Strategic Features

• White’s strong d5 pawn cramps Black’s queenside and discourages …b5.
• Flexible piece play. By delaying Nc3, White keeps the c-pawn free to recapture on d5 and may even consider c4 in some move orders.
• French-like break …f5 or …e4. Black often seeks pawn breaks with …e6-e5, …f7-f5, or the thematic Benoni strike …b5.
• King safety. Both sides usually castle kingside early; opposite-wing attacks are rare compared with the modern Benoni (…c5 d5 e6 Nf6 cxd5 lines).

Typical Plans

For White

• Play e4 (either immediately or after Nc3) to grab yet more central space.
• Exchange on d5 with cxd5 when it yields a healthy pawn majority on the queenside.
• Pressure the half-open e-file after Re1 and Bf1–d3.
• Expand with a2-a4 or b2-b4 if Black delays …b5.

For Black

• Challenge the centre with …exd5 followed by …g6 and …Bg7 (Benoni-King’s Indian blend).
• Break with …b5 (minority attack) when the moment is tactically sound.
• Undermine e4 with …Re8, …Na6, and …Nc7 before striking at d5.
• In some cases transpose to a pure King’s Indian by playing …g6 without …exd5.

Model Game

The following rapid game illustrates many thematic ideas, especially the flexible pawn structure and Black’s attempt to undermine the centre.

(FEN and board arrows omitted; viewers can load the PGN directly.)

Historical & Anecdotal Notes

• The “Schmidt” tag is relatively rare in modern databases; contemporary grandmasters usually list the position simply as Old Benoni (3.Nf3). Nevertheless, the line appeared in correspondence play as early as the 1920s, popularised by Dr. Karl Schmidt in German club circles.
• Because the pawn structure may transpose into both the French Defence (after colours are reversed) and the King’s Indian Defence, commentators sometimes call it a “hybrid Benoni.”
• Grandmaster Ulf Andersson, noted for his positional style, has successfully employed 3.Nf3 against a number of aggressive Benoni specialists, proving that the line can neutralise Black’s dynamic ambitions.
• Computer engines evaluate the resulting positions as roughly equal (+0.15 → +0.25 for White) but confirm that practical winning chances are plentiful for both sides, especially after the pawn breaks …b5 or e4-e5.

Why Choose 3.Nf3?

Players who prefer strategic manoeuvring over early tactical complications pick 3.Nf3 to:

1. Keep the option of c2-c4 or e2-e4 in reserve.
2. Avoid highly-theoretical lines of the Modern Benoni after 2…e6 3.c4 exd5 4.cxd5 d6.
3. Develop smoothly and reach middlegames reminiscent of the King’s Indian but with a more solid pawn structure.

Fun Fact

In online blitz, many Benoni devotees meet 3.Nf3 with 3…b5!?, a speculative gambit known as the Old Benoni Wing Counter-Gambit. While engines give White a clear edge, the gambit can lead to wild positions—proof that the modest-looking 3.Nf3 can still invite swashbuckling play.