Old Benoni: Schmidt, 3.e4
Old Benoni Defense: Schmidt Variation (3.e4)
Definition
The Old Benoni Defense starts with the asymmetrical pawn thrust 1.d4 c5. After 2.d5 Nf6 White can bolster the advanced d-pawn by playing 3.e4. This move order – 1.d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.e4 – is known as the Schmidt (or Schmid) Variation of the Old Benoni and is catalogued under ECO code A43. The diagram below shows the tabiya that defines the line.
Nomenclature & Historical Background
The variation is named for German grandmaster Lothar Schmid (1938-2013), renowned both as a player and as the chief arbiter of the 1972 Fischer–Spassky match. Schmid experimented with the early …Nf6 followed by …e6 or …Nxe4 in the 1950s, and the set-up subsequently entered opening manuals under his name. Older texts sometimes call 3.e4 the Franco-Benoni because Black may transpose to French-like structures with …e6.
Main Strategic Ideas
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Central Space vs. Immediate Activity
White’s pawns on d5 and e4 seize space and restrict Black’s pieces, but the e-pawn is momentarily loose. Black must decide at once whether to strike with 3…Nxe4 or maintain tension with 3…e6, 3…d6, or 3…g6. -
Typical Pawn Breaks
- For White: c2-c4 to support the d-pawn, or f2-f4-f5 to attack the kingside dark squares.
- For Black: …e6 (followed by …exd5 or …d6) and …b5 undermine White’s centre; …g6 aims for a Modern-Benoni–style fianchetto.
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Piece Placement
White’s light-squared bishop often lands on d3 (eyeing h7) or e2; the king’s knight heads for f3 supporting e5. Black may fianchetto the kingside bishop with …g6 …Bg7 or develop more classically with …e6 …Be7.
Principal Branches
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3…Nxe4 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.Nf3
Black grabs the pawn and immediately gives it back. After 5…d6 6.c4 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 White enjoys a space advantage, while Black hopes to exploit the half-open c-file and dark-square counterplay. -
3…e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.e5
A French-like structure arises. White clamps the centre with e5 and often follows with f4, whereas Black seeks breaks with …d6 and …g6. -
3…d6 4.Nc3 g6
Directly transposes to the Modern Benoni but with colours reversed in move order; Black loses no tempo and retains normal Benoni ideas of …e6 and …b5.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following rapid game captures many of the key motifs.
White sacrificed the e-pawn, regained it quickly and used the central majority to launch a kingside initiative, a recurring storyline in the Schmidt Benoni.
Practical Usage
The Schmidt Variation is a surprise weapon rather than a main-stream choice. Its chief value lies in taking Modern-Benoni players out of standard theory while preserving many of White’s favourite patterns (space, pawn storms, attacking chances). At club level the line scores well for White, especially against opponents who uncritically grab on e4 and fall behind in development.
- According to the Chess.com master database (2024), White scores roughly 55 % after 3.e4.
- The move 3.e4 can also be used to steer play away from the ultra-theoretical Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5).
Did You Know?
- GM Lothar Schmid was an avid collector of chess books and owned one of the world’s largest private chess libraries – fitting that an obscure but creative line bears his name.
- Because 3.e4 invites …Nxe4, blitz aficionados sometimes call it the “Poisoned Pawn Benoni.” In engine analysis, immediate capture is playable but leads to razor-sharp positions.
- The ECO code A43 bundles several Old Benoni sidelines (Zilbermints Gambit, Franco-Benoni, Czech Benoni) together with the Schmidt, reflecting the rich diversity that can spring from the simple move 1…c5.