Benoni Defense · A56

Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, Reversed Tarrasch

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. e3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8. O-O Nc6

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the e-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. ...d5 followed by ...Nxc3 hands White a broad pawn centre on purpose: the g7 bishop and ...c5 hammer d4 all game - the centre is a target, says Black.

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... c5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Benoni Defense.

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