Benoni Defense · A70

Classical Variation, after 2... e6

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the e-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. ...c5 and ...e6 tempt d5, then Black gets a queenside majority and the half-open e-file: ...b5 is the eternal break, White's is e4-e5.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
• 2... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5.

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