Benoni Defense · A43

Snail Variation

1. d4 c5 2. d5 Na6

...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... c5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Old Benoni.
• 2. d5 Pushes on to d5 - grabbing space and fixing the centre, and the queen breathes.
• 2... Na6 Develops the knight to a6. It backs up the pawn on c5. Theory calls this the Snail Variation.

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