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The Benoni
William R. Hartston
Popularised
by
Fischer
and
Tal,
the
wide
acclaim.
Leonard
Barden
'among
the
top
ten
opening
and
Second Edition of
A BATSFORD CHESS BOOK
The Benoni
WILLIAM R. HARTSTON
Preface
This book is intended to contain all the material necessary for chess
players who wish to play the Benoni defence with the Black pieces, or
who may meet it as White. I hope and think that players of competitive
chess of all standards will find this work useful, since it is directed at no
particular level of play, but my aim has been rather to set out all the
material in the most coherent and readable manner possible.
Writing on chess openings is admittedly in danger of dating owing to
the large number of international tournaments played, which are
always adding to the relevant material. It is impossible to deal with
this problem completely satisfactorily, but I have minimised its effect
by stressing the general features of any variation, using recent games
more to illustrate these ideas than as the final word on the subject.
This should help the reader to acquire a feel for the position, which is
always more important than memorising long, and possibly out-dated,
variations. For the second edition, I found it both desirable and ex
pedient to include a number of annotated games, serving to illustrate
current theoretical trends in addition to providing further examples
of strategic development after the opening. References to the beginning
of 1973 have been incorporated and those who seek a full account will
not be disappoin ted.
The book is divided into three distinct sections : the Modern Benoni
and Czech Benoni form the first two parts, and both of these are covered
in sufficiently great detail for anyone who may wish to play these lines
as either colour; in the third section I have given a review of other less
popular Benoni lines, with enough analysis for the reader to meet them
with confidence.
W.R.H.
Contents
Preface
Symbols
I. THE MODERN BENONI
Symbols
ch
Check
=F
!!
?
??
!?
?!
Weak move
I.
12
The characteristic position of the Modern Benoni arises after the moves
I P--Q.4 N-KB3
5
PxP P-Q.3.
!I
I
W
The Modern Benoni has the reputation of being one of Black's most
aggressive replies to 1
P-Q,4.
pawn majority in the hope that Black's queen's side majority will prove
more effective. Owing to the unbalanced nature of the position, play
is necessarily very sharp. Black will fianchetto his king's bishop and aim
for ..
P-Q.N4
while White tries to restrain tHis plan while preparing a pawn push
in the centre.
The line was introduced by Marshall against Nimzovitch at New
York 1927, in which game White demonstrated the effectiveness of
establishing a knight at
Q,B4
B.
c. Uhlmann's line: 6
D.
The
E. The
F.
6 P-KN3
The
G. Other systems.
13
. .
(i) 9
. . .
P-Q,R3
10 P-Q.14
Almost a reflex action. It is essential to prevent
P-Q,N4, so no other
move comes into serious consideration.
Q.N-Q.2
10
R-KI 11 N-Q.2 Q,N-Q,2 transposes, but White should not answer
10 . .. R-KI with 11 B-B4 when Black secures good play with 11
N-K5!
(weaker is 11
.CB2 12 Q,-Q.2 Q,N-Q.2 13 KR-NI P-B5 14 B-R6.
. . .
14
3
B
R-NI
11 ...
I I . . . R-K I is an important alternative, perhaps better than the text
move. White obtains no advantage then with either (a) 1 2 N-B4 N-N3
1 3 N-K3 ( 1 3 NXN Q.X N 1 4 P-RS Q-B2 I S B-B4 N-R4 1 6 B-Q.2
B-Q.2 =, Toran-Esposito, Buenos Aires 1 9S5; or 1 3 N-R3 B-Q.2 14 B
B4 N-BI IS N-B4 Q-B2 16 P-K4 N-R4 1 7 B-K3 R-NI 1 8 P-RS B-N4
with complications, Sosonko-Veinger, Leningrad 1 966) 1 3 .. N-NS !
1 4 NX N BX N I S P-R3 B -Q. 2 1 6 Q-Q.3 R-NI = , Stahlberg-Kluger,
Bucharest ' 1 9S4; or (b) 1 2 P-R3 R-NI 1 3 N-B4 N-K4 1 4 N-R3 Q-B2
(insufficient is 14 ... Q.-K2 I S P-B4 N(K4)-Q.2 1 6 K-R2 P-KR4
1 7 P-K4 Sokolev-Savon U S S R 1 966 ; but a sharp try is 14 ... N-R4? !
for example: I S P-K3 P-B4 1 6 R-NI B-Q.2 1 7 P-Q. N4 P X P 1 8 RXP
Q- R4 with complications, Osnos-Stein, USSR Champ 1 966, or I S P-K4
P-B4 1 6 p XP B XP 1 7 P-KN4 NXP 18 PXN Q- RS 1 9 PXB B-K4
20 R-KI and Black's attack should not succeed, Yuferov-Vasiukov,
U S S R 1 968) I S P-B4 N (K4)-Q.2 1 6 P-K4 P-BS ! ( 1 6 ... P-N3 1 7 K-R2
B-N2 18 Q.-Q. 3 Q.R-BI 19 N-B4 , Szabo-Unzicker, Moscow 1 9S6)
1 7 B- K3 (if 17 Q- K2 P-Q.N4 !) 1 7 ... N-R4 1 8 B-B2 N-B4 1 9 P-KS (if
1 9 NXP B X N 20 PXB NXKP+)N-Q.6 20 PXPQ-Q.I! 2 1 Q-Q.2 B-B4 +,
Gonzales-Polugaevsky, Havana 1 962.
Formerly it was main tained that after 1 1 ... R-K I , White could gain
the advantage with 1 2 P-RS P-Q.N4 1 3 P x P e.p. N x NP 14 N-N3 N-BS
I S R-R4 N-N3 16 R-R2 N-BS 1 7 Q.-Q. 3, but then the resource 17 ...
1M F_lutto VIIt'i4lUm
15
R-KI and 11
. .
N-KB2
16 N-B4 B-Q.2
. .
14 N-R3 P-B4
or 12 N-B4 N-K4
IS P-B4
12 N B4
-
13 P XP e.p. NXNP
12 P-RS P-Q.N4
t;C-K2
16 N-BI N-BS
14
R-KI
I S R-KI
12 ...
N-KI
13 P-RS
14 N-N6
1 5 P-R3!
N-K4
N-B2
16 N-B4 R-KI
I , N-lC4 N-N4
Amsterdam 19S4.
4
B
White now has some advantage since it is difficult for Black to create
16
N-K4
(ii) 9
. . .
This is Black's most solid defence to the fianchetto variation. His plan
is simply to avoid weakening his queen's side by any unnecessary pawn
moves, and to keep a firm hold on his K4-square. It is also possible to
play 9 ... Q.N-Q2
1 0 N-Q.2 Q.-K2(!)
10 N-Q.2
Q.N-Q.2
transposing.
11 N-Ilf
Other possibilities are:
(a) 1 1 P-KR3 P-N3
1 2 P-Q.R4 B-QR3 1 3 R-KI N-KI
B x N 15 P x B N-B2, Donner-Petrosian, Goteborg 1 955,
1 6 Q.-N3 N-B3 1 7 N-NI KR-B 1 1 8 N-B3 P-QR3! Black
1 4 N-QN5
when after
gained the
initiative;
P-B4
13 ...
P-Q.R3
1 3 ... Q.-K2
17
den t for equality. The text move was played in the game Gligoric
Petrosian, Zurich 1 9S3, in which after 14 P-RS KR-KI IS B-B4 Q-K2
16 Q-N3 N--Q2 Black had a very comfortable position,
(iii)
...
18
11
If
N-Q.2
II
P-Q.N4
12 p-K5!
is very strong.
6
W
12 R-KI
III B-N5 was played in the game Lengyel-Langeweg, Havana 1966,
but after 12 ... P-B3 13 B-B4 N-K4 14 N-Q.2 P-Q.N4 15 B-K3 P-N5
16 N-K2 B-Q.R3 17 R-N I P-B4 Black had good counterplay.
After the text move, 12 R-K I , White has a strong position. It is
difficult for Black to achieve active play with the threat of P-K5 always
in the air. The gme Korchnoi-Tal, USSR Championship 1962, con
tinued 12 . .. N-K I 13 B-N B-B3 14 B-K3 R-N I 15 P-Q.R4 P-Q.R3
16 B-KB I ! Q-K2
17 N-Q.2 N-B2
20 N(2)-K4 c;c-Q I
2 1 NXB
24 N5 NXN
BI Q.xp.
R-K I
25 Q.XN B-N2
29 B-Q.B4 B-B I
33 Q-N5 R-K5
R-Q.B5
37 RXR BXR
18 P-B4 P-Q.N4
ch NXN
19 p-K5! PxKP
22 p-Q.6 N-K3
26 Q.-Q.2 Q-Q.2
30 R-BI
R-N5
34 R-KB2 P-B4
38 R-Q.2 B-K3
23 PXKP P-N5
27 K-R2 p-N6
31 BXN BXB
35 Q-B6 Q-Q.2
39 R-Q. I Q-R2
'28 Q.R
32 B-R6
36 RXQ.BP
40 R-Q.2 Q-Q.2
resigns.
5 I p-K6 Q-R2
52 Q-K5 PxP
53 P-K 7 K-B2
54 P-Q.7
13 B-R6 N-N2
14 Q-Q.2 P-N3
I I P-K4 N-K4
15 K-RI B-R3
12 NXN
Sliwa-Spassky,
I I P-Q.R4 or 10 . Q
=
K2(!)
. . .
. .
The Fiandlltlo
K4 NXN
Variation
19
20
his
P-Q.1l4
15 R-KI (if
17 P-KN4 N(R4)-B3
Q.N-B3
. .
16 R-R4! N-R4
. . .
R-IU
15 R-R4 N-KI
16 N-K4
17 N-B3 N-B2
advantage.
7
B
6 N-B3,
9 0-0 N-B2
10 pR3! KR-KI
II Q.-B2 B-N5
8 B-K2 N-R3
12 P-N4 , Furman
B-N2
K3! 0-0
Q.N2
II B3 N-R4 ( 1 1
14 N-B4 IC-B2
6 N-B4 N-N3
Q.N2
9 P-K4 B-N2
12 0-0 PR3
10 N
13 PR4 R-NI
21
8
W
9 B-B4
An interesting
Donner-
22
12 B-N3 N-KI
... P-KR3
13 P-K4 P-B4
10 B-R4 P-R3
14 pXP BXP
15 B
K2 P-N3
23
(i)
10
. .
P-N3
IZ P-Q.R..f
Less accurate is the immediate 12 ... Q.B X N 13 Bx B P-Q.R3since White
may obtain a minimal advantage after 14 0-0 N-Q.2 (or 14 ... K2
15 Q.R-NI N-Q.2 16 KR-Bl P-B4 17 PN4 with the better chances
for White, Borisenko-Polugaievsky, 23rd USSR Championship 1956)
1 5 Q.R-N I P-B4 16 B-KN3 Q.-B3 (worse is 16 ... K2 17 KR-KI N-K4
1 8 B-B l N-B3 1 9 P-K4 , Taimanov-Suetin, 25th USSR Champion
ship 1958.
13 B-Kz
1 3 P-R4is not dangerous: 1 3 . . . Q.B XN 14 B XB PR3 15 K2 N-KB3
24
IfB-N3
15 B x B
B xN
P-Q.R3
And Black, who is now a tempo ahead of the lines given in the note
to move twelve, has a completely satisfactory game. Osnos-Forintos,
Leningrad v Budapest 1962, continued 16 0 -0 N-Q.2 11 P-B4 N- B2
18B-B2 P-Q.N4 Ig pX P N-N3 20 B-K2 P X P 21 BX P NX B 22 NX N
Q.X p with level chances.
(ii)
10
BX N
(from diagram 9)
This very aggressive move is due to Tal. Black gives up his fianchettoed
bishop in order to activate his queen's side majority of pawns. The play
is complicated, but Black's chances are not worse.
11
P xB
IJ
13!C B2!CK2
11 ...
P-Q.N4
10
W
Steinitz would certainly have approved of Black's play; with all his
pieces on the back rank he has a good position.
12 N-N2
B-N2
Uklmallll's Line
25
C. Uhlmann's Line
6 N-B3P-K.N3 ,B-NS (from diagram /)
11
B
This line was fashionable in the late 1960 s following its successful
adoptiQn by the East German grandmaster Uhlmann. White's strategy
is very similar to that of the Averbach system in the King's Indian
defence: Black is tempted to play ... P-KR3 and P-KN4 which weakens
the white squares near his king. If Black does not do this, the White
bishop at KN5 exerts a cramping influence on his game .
Black's only reasonable replies are 7 ... P-KR3 and 7 ... B-N2.
26
UllJfI'IIIIfII S LiM
17
I
B
N-Q.2
14 . . .
1 4 . . . P-B4 is too weakening; the game Geller-Langeweg, Varna 1 962,
concluded drastically: I S 0-0 B X N 16 PXB P-N4 N-Q.2 P-Q.B5
18 B-B2 B-N2 1 9 Q;-NI Q;-Q.2 20 N-B3 B XP 21 N-Q.4 B-K3 Q.XP
P-R3 23 Q;-N6 P-Q.R4 24 Nx B Q. x N 2 S Q.R-Q.I resigns.
1 4 . . . N-R3 is a rs:asonable possibility, though; Bagirov-Vasiukov,
Baku I96 I , continued I S R-Q.BI N-B2 I6 P R4 P-N3 1 7 K-B I R-NI
I 8 K-N I P-R3 I9 P-KN4 P-N4 20 P x P P x P 2 I N-RS B -Q.2 with
chances for both sides.
15 B-B2
Good for Black is I S 0-0 N-14 I 6 N X N Q. X N I7 R-KI B-Q.2 1 8 R-NI
P-N5, Germek-Tal, Bled I 96r. Also inferior for White is 1 5 N-NS N-K4
1 6 N (N5) xQ.P N X N I7 N X N P-N4.
15
N-Kf
Q. x N
16 N x N
Black has a very healthy position. In the game Krzsnik -Rabar, Yugo
slav Championship 1 962, there followed I7 Q;-Q.3 P-B4 18 P-KN4
B-Q.2 I 9 o-o? (better I 9 p X P B X P 20 Q;-Q.2 with equality) P-Q.N4 !
and Black has the advantage, for 20 Q.X P P-B5 gives a very dangerous
attack.
-
28
(ii) 7
...
B-N2
I,
W
White now has three possibilities: (a) 8 N-Q,2, (b) 8 P-K3, and (c) 8 P-K4,
of which the latter is by far the most common, though usually reached
by the transposition mentioned above.
. .
Uhlmann's Line
29
If
W
I Q.-N3
1 2 P-K4 was played in the game Ternblom-Neistadt, Leningrad
Championship 1 964 ; but after 1 2
N X B 1 3 RPx N P-Q.R3 14 B-K2
N-Q.2 15 P-B4 p-N4! 1 6 Q.-l!2 P-B5 Black was able to proceed with
17
N-B4 and gain the initiative.
1 2 P-K3 occurred in Uhlmann-Garcia, Mar del Plata 1 966, when
after. 1 2 '" N X B 1 3 RP X N N-Q.2 14 Q.-B2 N-K4 1 5 B-K2 P-R3
1 6 P-R4 White had some advantage. Better here is to continue as in
the game above with 1 3
P-R3 instead of . . . N-Q.2 when it will be
impossible for White to delay
P-Q.N4 for long.
I ...
NxB
P-Nf!
13 RPxN
This is Tal's analysis. After 14 N X P B-R3 1 5 P-K3 N-Q.2 Black has
excellent counterplay for the pawn.
. .
. .
. . .
30
Sochi
Uhlmann's Line
Tal now played
31
14
P-BS ? ! but after I S B X N (IS P-RS is also strong,
Q.N--Q.2 1 6 R4 neither 1 6
P-N4 1 7 p x p e.p. N X P
I 8 B6, nor 1 6
N-K4 1 7 B X N B--Q.2 1 8 B X N ! is satisfactory for
Black). I S
B X B 1 6 P-RS N--Q.2 1 7 N(B3)-K4 B-K4 1 8 Q. X BP
for after
IS
. .
. .
Black had insufficient compensation for the pawn. Tal suggested after
the game that
14
B-B4
As mentioned above, this line has many features in common with the
0-0,
(i) 8
...
0-0
This reply invites White to transpose into the Averbach system at once
with
9 B-K2 , and since this is a natural move the line appears to have
9 N--Q.21
It
3 lZ
P-Q.R3
Q.-B2
9
10 P-Q.llf
1 4 B-N3 N-K4
II B-K2 R-KI
15 Q-B2 P-N3
1 2 0-0 P-R3
J6 Q.R-NI
R-R2
JJ
B-K2
White has now transposed into a position that can be reached from the
Averbach system, but only if Black plays very weakly! That is, after
I P-Q.4 N-KB3
0-0
2 P-Q.B4 P-KN3
6 B-N5 P -B4
3 N-Q.B3 B-N2
7 P-Q.5 P-K3
continues 9 . . . P-Q.R3?
4 P-K4 P-Q.3
8 N-B3 Px P
5 B-K2
9 BP XP, if Black
II N-Q.2 . It is therefore
ID P-Q.R4 Q-B2
scarcely surprising that this position is better for White. The game
Shamkovitch-Spassky, semi-final USSR Championship 1 9 58, continued
1 2 0-0 P-B3
II . . . KN-Q.2
R-K I
16 Q-N3 N-Q.2
13 B-R4 N-K4
1 7 Q.R-K I R-NI
14 P-B4 N':"'B2
15 N-B4
to White.
Other tries for Black after 8 . . . 0-0
For example: 9 ... N-R3
P-KR3
13 B-R4 Q.-K2
10 B-K2 N-B2
14 P-B4 K R-KI
I I P -Q.R4 B-Q.2
1 5 P-K 5 Px P
1 2 0-0 N-B2
13 P-R4 P-N3
12 0-0
16 N-B4 ,
10 B-R4 R-K I
14 P-B4 , Taimanov
1 0 B-K2 Q-K2
I I 0-0 P-K R3
12 B-R4 P-KN4
13 B-N3 N-K4
(ii) 8
15 N-B4 Q.-K2
16 P
K 5 Px P
. . .
9 P-Q.llf
9 N-Q.2 ! is very strong here. Compare the variations given below after
8 . . . P-KR3
9 B-R4 P-R3
10 N-Q.2!
P-R3
9 .. .
10 B-B41 ?
10 B-R4 transposes, after 10 ... P -K N4
13 RP XN N-Q.2
10 ...
I I B-K2
12 0-0
II B-N3 N-R4
12 N-Q.2 N X B
B-NS
0-0
If 12 N-Q.2 Bx B
1 3 Q.x B N-R4
14 B-K 3 P-B4
15 P x P R XP and
Uhlmann's Line
.Ui
33
R-KI
. .
(ill ) 8
. . .
98-14
9 B-B4 has also been played occasionally. Black may then play 9 ...
or 9 '"
N-K4
P-KN4
1 3 N-BI p-N4 ! ?
I I N-Q2 QN-Q2
1 2 B-K2
14 KBXP Q-R4
I I B-K 3 N-N5
1 5 P x P NXN ch
12 N-Q2 P-R3
1 3 B-K2 N-Q.2
10 . ..
14 P-K R4 K N-K4
17
P-KN4
In view of the dangers arising after I I B-N5 ch in this line, it has been
1 2 QN-NI 0--0
13 B-Q 3 R-KI
1 4 0 --0 Q;-B2!
15 Q;-B2
Bielorussia 1 96 I )
I I . . . 0-- 0
12 Q;-B2 R-K I
1 4 N-Q.I P-N4
1 5 B-N3 Q;-K2
16 0-- 0
1960.
1 7 P-B4
1 4 P-R4 P -N5
, Taimanov-Boleslavsky
15 N-QI p-N6
16 Q;-Q 3
34
lo N3
N-Rt
N5ch
II N-Q.2 N x B I2 RPXN ()-{)
u
13 P-R4 Q.N
16 !C-B2 B-Q. S
IS P-RS R-NI
17 B
IS P-KN4 !C-Q.2 as in
K-BIl
. .
Q.X B
III
Kal
12 ()-{) P-R3
13 B-K2 NXB
14 BPXN? is dubious.
17 N-Q.! N-K4
21 P-KN3 P-B3
2S R-KI R-R6
III ...
13 RP xN
NxB
18 R-R3 R-Q.R2
22 N-B2 B--QS
26 P-KS Q.x P
Szabo-Perez,
IS P-Q.R4 P-N3
19 N
xN
BXN
23 K-RI Q.R-02
27 Resigns.
16 !C-B2
20 P-KN4
24 N X P
cf. p. 84.
18
B
13 .,.
14 N--Q.2
N--Q.lI
P-R3
IS p-B4l? N-N3
16 B-RS pXP
UlalmIJIIII'S LW
35
'H
16 ...
1 7 P-RS
R-Q.NI
P-N4!
18 P xP e.p.
19 Q.R-R2
RxP
P-NS!
Black keeps White's king's side under restraint and thereby makes it
difficult for his opponent to undertake any active operations. We are
following the game Pietzsch-Capello, Havana
20 N-Q.I P-KR4
21 N-K3 R-N5
Illustrative Game
White: Uhbnann Black: Padevsky Zagreb 1965
I P-Q.4 N-KB3 2 P-Q.B4 P-B4 3 P-Q.S P-K3 4 N-Q.B3 P x P S P x P
P-Q.3 6 P-K4 P-KN3 7 N-B3 B-N2 8 B-KNS P-KR3 9 B-1l4 P-KN4
IO B-N3 N-R4
1 1 B-NS ch K-B I 12 B-K2 N X B %3 RP X N P-R3
1 4 P-R4 N-Q.2 I S N-Q.2 N-K4 16 Q-B2 R-Q.N I 1 7 P-RS B-B3 18 N
Q.I P-N4 1 9 p X P e.p. R X P 20 R-Q.R2 K-N2 21 N-K3 R-K I 22 0-0
K-N I 23 P-KN4 R-NS 24 P-KN3 N-N3 25 N-B5 B X N 26 NP X B
N-K4 27 B X P P-NS 28 B-K2 B-N4 29 N-B4 Q;-B3 30 P-N3 P-R4
3 1 K-N2 P-RS 3 2 P X P B X P 33 P-KRI N X N 34 B X N Q-K2 3 5 P-
36
K5! p x p
36
R6 Q.X p ch
38
9 R (R6)
R-Q,R6 Q.-Q.2
P-Ki P-KN3
N-B3 B-Na
B-Ka
(from diagram
I)
19
the
Yugoslav
grandmaster
Gligoric
has
consistently
adopted this system and enriched it with many new ideas, and recently
the line has regained its popularity and is now the most often en
countered line of the Modern Benoni. On the whole it may be con
sidered the most promising method of dampening Black's aggressive
desires while preserving possibilities of exploiting the latent advantages
in the White position. White' must play with the utmost care though,
a...
9 0-0
0-0
37
Now Black has a host of possible moves of which only the most
natural, 9 . . . R-K I , has ever gained any real popularity. This is a little
surprising, for 9 . R-KI is by no means an easy equalising line for
Black, and some of the alternatives deserve further analysis.
.
20
15 R-K I B XR
16 Q. XB P-B4
Q. XP
resigns)
20 R XN
13 Q-Q.2 P--QR3
N(K I ) XB
17 B-R6 Q-K2
IQ . . . B XN
14 B-N5! B-B3
18 Q,R-K I
18 N-N5 Q.-K4
I I B XB Q.N-Q.2
15 B-R6 B-N2
19 Q.-N I
12 B-B4 N-K I
16 B-N5 B-B3
17 B XB
12 B-KB4 Q-B2
13 N-Q.2 N-K4
14 P-R3 K N--Q2
15 B-K 3 P -B3
16 P-B4
. . .
N-K I
I I P-KR3 P-Q.R 3
12 P-Q.R4 R-NI
13 N-Q.2 p-B4 ? !
14 p XP
Px P
15 N-B4 N-K4
16 Q.-Q,2
38
...
P-Q.I\3 and
. . .
( I)
10
. . .
P-Q.14
R-NI
( 1 2 . . . P-N3 . 13 R-K I
R-NI
14 P-R3 N-K I
15 B-N3 N-B2
16 N-B4
after
1 1 . . . Q.N-Q.2
12 Q-Q.2 B XN
13 B XB P-B5
39
14 B-'K2 Q.-B2
22
W
Black a dangerous attack) Q.R-BI, with equal chances. Yet another move
to have been tried here without significant success is 11 N-Q.2 ; Donner
Portisch, Budapest 1 96 1, continued 11 . . . B X B 12 QX B Q.N-Q.2 13 N
B4 N-N3 14 N-K 3 Q.-B2
15 P-R5 Q.N-Q.2
16 N-B4 P-Q.N4 with
equality.
Finally, for an example of 11 R-KI see the game O'Kelly-Damjanovic
at the end of this section.
1 1 ...
12 B x B
12 . . . R-K I
K N4 ? KN-Q.2
BxN
Q.N-Q.2
led to a fine position for Black after
15 Q.-B2 N-K4
16 B-K2 Q.N-Q.2
1 3 B-B4 Q.-B2
14 P
17 P-Q.N3 P-B5
in the
40
I, . . .
N-KI
14 B-1U
Q.-h
15
R-BI
Illustrative Game
White : O'Kelly Black : Damjanovic Havana 1 968
I P:-Q.4 N-KB3 2 P:-Q.B4 P-B4 3 P-Q5 P-KN3 4 N:-Q.B3 P-Q,3 5 P-K4
B-N2 6 N-B3 0--0 7 B-K2 P-K3 8 0--0 P X P 9 BP X P P-Q,R3 10 P
QR4 B-N5 I I R-K I B X N 1 2 B X B Q,N:-Q.2 1 3 B-K2 R-K I 14 P-B3
QR-B I IS P-R5 P-B5 1 6 B-K3 N-B4 1 7 R-R3 P-R4 18 N-R4 N(3)
Q,2 19 B X P N X P 20 B-KB I N(5)-B4 2 1 N-B3 R5 22 B-B2 Q:-Q.N5
23 R X R ch R X R 24 B2 B:-Q.5 25 R-R I N...!K4 26 B X B Q, X B ch
27 K-R I K-N2 28 P-R3 P-R5 29 R:-Q.I Q:-Q.N5 30 R-R I N(K4) -Q,2
3 1 B2 N-B3 32 N-R2 KB5 33 N-B3 N-R4 34 K-N I N-KN6 35 R
K I R X R 36 Q, X R Q:-Q.N5 37 B2 K-N I 38 N-R2 R5 39 P-N4
N:-Q.2 40 2 N-B3 41 B-'B4 K I 42 N-B3 K4 43 P-N5 p X P
44 B X P N(3)-R4 45 K-B2 N-B5 46 B:-Q.7 P-KN4 47 B-N5 K2
48 Q:-Q.4 Q:-Q.I 49 N4 B3 50 B4 K4 5 I B:-Q. 7 N-R8 ch
52 K-B I K6 53 N-K4 N-N6 ch 54 N x N P X N 55 Q,-B8 ch K-N2
56 B2 N:-Q.6 Whi te resigned.
(2)
. . .
41
The attack on the king's pawn leaves White with but two moves from
which to choose: (a)
as
occasions recently.
123
W
(i)
10
Q.-B2 N.R3
This, the most active reply, is the best way to solve Black's develop
ment problems. Instead
11 P-Q..R3
A very complex alternative is
Tal,
42
regained his piece with the better game. However , in the Soviet Year
book of Chess for 1 958-9, Cholmov published an analysis to demon
strate that Tal's sacrifice was incorrect. Instead of the faulty 1 5 B x p ?
he recommended 1 5 B-N3 ! He gave as the main line 1 5 . . . Q;-K2
B3! Q.RI
(a)
17
1 6 B
R X Q. R X R
N-N5
21
18 B X P Q;-K3 (or 18 . . . R X B
RXB R-Q.2
22
1 9 N XR D X Q.
1 9 P-Q.R3
20
RXB
( 1 9 . . . N-B3
2 0 D XP RXN
2 1 N X R B X Q.
2 2 R X Q. R XR
2 3 R XB
is no better)
o P x N R X N
2 1 N X R B X Q.
22 R X Q. R X R
23 R x B
XP
24
BxP
18 B-R4!)
1 7 ..
QXN
.
Q;-B2
1 8 B X P RX B
2 2 NXB N-N5
19 N X R B XQ.
20 N X R Q;-R4
21
2 3 N-K 8 wins.
1 7 B-Q.3 N-N5
B-Q6
1 8 N-B6 ch)
20 KR-Q.I R XN
17 B-Q.B4, or if 16 . . . R-K2
1 7 B X R Q. x B
18 N x Q.P B X Q.
19 N x Q.
12 Q;-NI Q-K2
1 5 P X N B-B4
17 B-Q.N5 N X B
13 N-Q2 K N XQP !
15 Q.-Q.I B X N
14 P x N N X N
15 P x N
1 4 B-K3 P-B4
1 7 B X KN P X B
1 7 KB XP P XP
1 8 N-K4 ; (b)
15 . . . P-KB 5
16 B-Q.2
TItI Main LW
43
-5
-N3 ( 1 . .. NXKP ?
1 3 B-KN5 P-B 3
1 4 B-K 3 P-I14
1 5 p XP B X P
1 6 2 N-B2
1 7 B
. . .
11 . .
.
N-B=z
P-B3
14 B-Q.2 P-B4
44
12 R-KI
Alternatives give White few prospects of maintaining the initiative ;
for example :
(a) 1 2 R-Q I B-N5 1 3 B-KN5 P-KR3 1 4 B-R4 P-KN4 1 5 B-N3 N-R4
1 6 P-R3 N X B 1 7 P X N B-Q2 , Klasup-Tal, Riga 1 959;
(b) 12 N-Q2 P-QR3 13 P-QR4 R-N I 1 4 P-R5 B-Q2 1 5 N-B4 N-N4,
Vukovic-Matulovic, Yugoslav Championship 1 960 ;
(c) 1 2 B-KN5 P-KR3 1 3 B-KB4 P-QN4, Kots-Chodos, U S S R Cham
pionship 1 962 ; and Black has good play in all cases.
R-NI
12 . . .
13 B-B4
N-R4
(ii) 9
. . .
R-KI
10
_ _ .
46,
We shall examine first the earlier plans with (a) I I R-K I and
(b) I I P-B4 ; then the more fashionable (c) I I p-B3 !
Besides these, other moves have been tried, but none with any
measure of success. The antipositional I I B-B3 ? gave White nothing
in the game Albareda-J. Littlewood, Lucerne 1 963, which continued
II
R-N I 1 2 P-Q.R4 N-Q.2 1 3 N-B4 N-K4 14 N X N B X N 1 5 B-K3
N-N5 with good play for Black. Even weaker is I I B X N as was played
in the game Kraidman-Kanko, Students' Olympiad 1 955, when after
P X B 1 2 P-B3 B-Q.2 1 3 P-Q.R4 R-N I 1 4 N-B4 N-R4 1 5 P-KN4
II
B-Q.5 ch 1 6 K-N2 R-N5 1 7 Q;-Q.3 Q.-R5 Black had a tremendous
attack.
I I R-N I is another ineffective idea as was shown in Gligoric-Tal,
Candidates 1 959, in which there followed I I
B-Q.2 1 2 R-K I ( 1 2 P
Q.R3 ? R-N I I j P-Q,N4 P X P 1 4 p X P R-QB I 1 5 Q.-N3 ? R x N I 1 6 Q. X R
N X KP 1 7 Q.-B2 N-B6 1 8 B-Q.3 B-R5 won quickly for Black i n the
correspondence game Hofmann-Behnke 1 955) R-N I ! 3 P-Q.N3 P-Q.N4
1 4 B-N2 N-B2 1 5 Q.-B2 Q.-K2 1 6 N-Q.I B-R3 ! I 7 P-B3 N-R4 18 N
B I N X Q.P ! 1 9 P X N B-B4 20 Q.-B3 B-N2 2 1 Q.-B I B X R 22 B X B
K X B 23 Q.X B N-B5 with a very strong position for Black._
Finally, another move to have failed against Tal is I I K-R I as played
.
. .
47
El . . .
N-B2
12 P-Q.14
1 2 Q;-B2 R-N I
12 . . .
P-NS
48
1 6 N-B I
20 B2
13 Q;-B2
Or 1 3 P-R3 R-N I 14 B-Q,3 P-Q,R3 1 5 N-B4 P-Q.N4 1 6 p X P p X P
1 7 N-R5 B-Q,2 1 8 B-KB4 P-N5 1 9 N-Q, I B2 20 N-B4 N-N4,
'
Lilienthal-Lyavdansky, U S S R 1 964, when Black's position was quite
solid.
30
B
N-R3
In the famous game Gurgenidze-Tal, U S S R Championship 1 957, Black
played instead 1 3 . . , N-N5 and won brilliantly after 14 p-R3 ? N x p !
1 5 K X N Q;-R5 ch 1 6 K-B I B-Q.5 1 7 N-Q, I Q, X RP ! 1 8 B-B3 Q;-R7
1 9 N-K3 p-B4 ! 20 N (Q,2)-B4 P X P 2 1 B X P B-R3 22 B-B3 R-K4
23 R-R3 Q,R-K I 24 B-Q,2 N X P ! 25 B X N ch R X B 26 K-K2 B X N
27 R X B B X N ch 28 Resigns.
However if after 1 3 . . . N-N5, White plays 14 B X N ! B X B 1 5 N-B4
he should obtain slightly better prospects since the threat of 1 6 B-B4
is a little awkward for Black to meet.
13 . . .
14 NS
N-Q.NS
(b)
II
This move transposes into a four pawns attack type of King's Indian
defence position, from which line it may indeed also arrive, for example
by the move order I P-Q,4 N-KB3 2 P-Q.B4 P-KN3 3 N-Q.B3 B-N2
4 P-K4 P-Q.3 5 P-B4 0-0 6 N-B3 P-B4 7 P-Q.5 P-K3 8 B-K2 P X P
9 BPX P Il-K I 1 0 N-Q.2 N-1l3 1 1 0-0. In this line, however, as in
49
many
31
B
N-B2
Probably the soundest reply, though Black has some alternatives
worthy of mention :
( I ) I I . . . B-Q.2 1 2 B-B3 (C-B2 1 3 N-B4 P-Q.N4 14 N X Q.P Q. X N
1 5 P-K5 Q.-N3 1 6 P X N B X P 1 7 K-R I Q.R-Q. I 1 8 P-Q.R4 N-N5 is
very complicated, Westerinen-Tringov, Tel Aviv 1 964.
(ii) I I . . . R-N I 1 2 R-K I ( 1 2 B-B3 is also possible, for example
1 2 . . . N-Q.N5 ! 1 3 B-K2 p-B5 ? ! 1 4 (c-R4 P-Q.R4 1 5 B X P N-N5
1 6 P-:KR3 N-K6 with complications, Zaitsev-Suetin, 30th U S S R Cham
pionship 1 962 ; if after 1 2 B-B3 Black plays 1 2 . . . P-Q.N4, then White
gains the advantage with 1 3 P-Q.R4 p X P 1 4 N-B4 R-N5 1 5 R X P as
in the game Pantaleev-Prahov, Bulgarian Championship 1 960.
Another very obscure possibility is I I . . . R-N I 12 P-KR3 P-B5 1 3 B X P
P-Q.N4 14 B-Q.3 N-B4 1 5 B X P R X B 1 6 N X R (C-N3 I 7 P-Q.R4 N-N6
ch as in A. Zaitsev-Altschuler, 6th U S S R Correspondence Champion
ship) 1 2 . . . N-B2 ( 1 2 . . . P-B5 is too sharp ; the game Portisch-Dely,
Hungarian Championship 1 955, continued 1 3 B-B3 N-B4 14 N X P
P-Q.N4 1 5 N X Q.p ! Q. x N 1 6 P-K5 (C-K2 1 7 P-Q.6 (C-K3 1 8 B-K3
with great advantage to White) 1 3 P-Q.R4 P-N3 ( 1 3 . . . P-KR4 was
played in Lilienthal-Scherbakov, Moscow 1 955, but after 14 P-R3
N-Q.2 1 5 B-Q.3 B-Q.5 ch 1 6 K-R2 P-R3 1 7 N-B3 White had a
minimal advantage) 14 R-N I P-Q.R3 1 5 (C-B2 P-Q.N4 and Black had
reasonable prospects, Zaitsev-Vitolinsh, U S S R 1 963 ;
(iii) I I . . . P-N3 1 2 B-B3 N-B2 ; and
(iv) I I . . . N-Q.2 1 2 B-B3 N-B2 both transpose into variations cor!sidered below.
12 B-B3
If 1 2 P-Q.R4 Black should simply continue 1 2 . . . P-N3 ( 1 2 . . . R-N I is
11
50
12 . . .
R-NI
P-Q.N4
B-Q.2
PxP
13 N-B4
14 N-RS
IS P-KS
weakly with
B -B4
16 P x P
17 B-8t
Not
17
. .
18 B-N3
R xP
R-8tl
P-NS
Black now has a clear advantage as was seen in the games Zinser
Evans, Venice
these finished :
NI B-B6
Q. X N 27 Resigns. In the other game Soos managed to improve, but
51
(c)
II
11 ...
N-lkI
52
1 4 N-B4 N XN
15
B XN N-N I !
1 6 B-B4
R-Q.I
17
(C-Q,2 P-Q. R3
1 8 N-R3 N-Q.2
1 3 P-Q.R4 P-R3
14 P-RS B-Q.2
1 5 N-B4 B-N4
1 6 B-NS,
P-Q.14
54
'
. . .
(I) 12
. . .
53
P-N3
This is the older of the two moves, which has recently come back into
fashion. Possibly, though, this is more due to a dissatisfaction with the
other line than any positive aspects.
13 K-R1
Also dangerous for Black is the immediate 1 3 N-B4, though against
this he should, with accurate play, achieve active chances. For example
1 3 N-B4 B-Q.R3 14 B-N5 (not 14 B-B4 when Black frees his game with
14
N-R4 1 5 B-K3 P-B4 1 6 N-Q.2 P-B5, Kchouk-Forintos, Havana
1 966) p-R3 ! (neither 14
B X N 1 5 B X B P-Q.R3 1 6 K-R I R-N I
1 7 Q;-K2 !, Petrosian-Schmid, Zurich 1 96 I ; nor 14 . . . Q.-Q.2 1 5 Q;- Q.2
B X N 1 6 B X B P-Q.R3 1 7 Q.-Q.3, Birbrager-Tal, 'U S S R Teams Cham
pionship 1 955, gives Black any freedom) . 1 5 B-R4 Q.-Q.2 {6 P-KN4 ?
Q.R-N I i 7 B-N3 B X N 18 B X B P-R3, Horowitz-Evans, us Champion
ship 1 968. By delaying
B X N until his preparation for . . , P-Q.N4 are
complete, Black has secured good counterplay. See illustrative games
at the end of this section for the remainder of this game.
A recent attempt to improve this variation for White is the move
14 R-N I (after 1 3 N-B4 B-Q.R3) to prepare P-Q.N4 himself; but it seems
that here also Black has sufficient counterplay. For example 1 3 N-B4
B-Q.R3 14 R-N I B X N 1 5 B X B N-Q.2 1 6 B-Q.2 (or 1 6 N-N5 N-K4
1 7 N X N Q.X N 1 8 B-Q.N5 N-Q.2 1 9 B-Q.2 P-Q.R3 with chances for both
sides, Gligoric-Lobigas, Manila 1 968) P-Q.R3 1 7 P-Q.N4 P x P 1 8
R X P Q.-K2 1 9 K-R I KR-Q.B I 2 0 Q.-K2 P-Q.N4 2 1 P X P B X N with
complications, Adamski-Matulovic, Lugano 1 968.
The text move is almost a waiting move, hoping that Black's reply
will enable White to extract more from the position than he can achieve
with the immediate 1 3 N-B4. Since White intends to open the centre
eventually, K-R I is a useful precaution tn any case.
. .
' "
35
B
54
R-NI
13 . . .
13
N-Q.2 was played in the game Najdorf-Fischer, Havana 1 966,
but after 14 N-H4 N-K4 1 5 N-K3 P-B4 1 6 P-B4 N-B2 1 7 P x P P x P
1 8 B-Q.3 Q;-B3 1 9 N-K2 NKR3 20 N-N3 Q;-N3 2 I Q;-B2 R-B I 22 B-Q.2
B-Q.2 Gligoric's suggestion of 23 R-B3 ! leaves Black in some difficulties.
13
B-Q.R3 ? 1 4 B X B N X B 1 5 N-B4 is very bad for Black.
14 N-B4
B-Q.R3
13
N-Kf
14 N-K31 ( diagram 36)
P-B4
14
see
This is the most active reply leading to very sharp play. The alternatives
are very passive :
(a) 14 ' " P-B3 was played in the third game of the Uhlmann
Portisch match, Budapest 1 962, and after I S B- Q.2 R-N I 1 6 R-N I
B-Q.2 1 7 1'-Q.N4 P x P 1 8 R x P N-R3 1 9 R-N I N-B4 20 Q.-B2 Q.-K2
2 I Q;-R2 N-B2 Black secured a good position. Portisch rcommended
that instead of Uhlmann's plan of queen's side play, better was I S P-B4
N-B2 followed by a later P-BS and P x P for White when Black's king's
'
side may prove difficult to defend.
55
36
W
. .
Illustrative Games
White : Horowitz Black : Evans u s Championship 1 968
I P--Q.4 N-KB3 2 P--Q.B4 P-B4 3 P--Q.5 P-K3 4 N--Q.B3 P x P 5 P x P P--Q.3
6 P-K4 P-KN3 7 N-B3 B-N2 8 B-K2 0-0 9 0-0 R-K I 1 0 N-Q.2
N-R3 I I P-B3 N-B2 1 2 P-Q.R4 P-N3 1 3 N-B4 B--Q.R3 14 B-N5 P-R3
I 5 B-R4 Q;-Q.2 1 6 p-KN4 Q.R-N I 1 7 B-N3 B X N I 8 B X B P-R3 I 9 RK I P-Q.N4 20 P x P P x P 2 I B-B I P-N5 22 N-K2 P-R4 23 P-R3
P X P 24 RP X P N-N4 25 K-N2 R-R I 26 Q;-B2 N-KR2 2 7 Q;-Q.2 Q;-K2
'
28 Q;-Q.3 N--Q.5 29 R X R R X R 30 N X N B X N 3 1 R-K2 P-N4 32 Q;-N5
B-K4 33 Q;-B6 R-R8 34 Q;-B8 ch N-B I 35 B X B Q. X B 36 Q;-B5 N-N3
37 Q. X Q. N X Q. 38 R-;-KB2 P-B5 39 K-N3 R-R 7 40 R-K2 p-N6 4 1
Resigns.
56
1 6 K-R I R-N I
. . . P-Q.N4 20
20 B-Q2 p-B4 ?
24 R-N3 R-K2
28 R X R B X R
P-Ilf
:n
B
" .
N2
P-KS
57
be
more sllccessful.
sa
8 . . . KN-Q.2 ( !) .
(a) 8
...
Px P
KN-Q.2
9 . . . N-N5 ? 1 0 p-K6 or 1 0 B-N5 ch is overwhelming for White;
Also weak is 9 . . . N-R4, the game Yakovlev-Voloshin, Molotov 1 956,
continued 10 B-N5 ch B-Q.2 I I N-B3 0-0 1 2 o-o ! ( 1 2 B X B N X B
9PxP
If
14 B X B B X P
1 5 B X N Q;-R5
1 7 Q. x Q.
1 2 . . . B-N5
1 6 P-KN3 Q. X B
1 3 p-Q.6 Q.-K3
14 Q.-Q.5 ! B X P
I I B-KN5 P-KR3
1 5 N X B R-K I
16
12 B XN
0--0--0
Q. X N
10 P-K6
PxP
1 1 P X P (see diagram 39)
11
Q.-RS ch
Other moves are even less satisfactory ; Mikenas gives the following
possi hili ties :
(i) I I . . . N-K4
(ii) 1 1 . . . N-KB3
1 5 B-N5 ch K-K2
1 2 Q. x Q. ch K X Q.
1 2 B-Q.B4 Q. x Q. ch
1 6 R-K I .
1 3 K X Q. N-B3
1 4 N-B3 N-Q.R4
58
39
B
12 P-N3
13 P x B
B xN ch
Q.-KS ch
14 Q.-IU
Q.x Q.ch
15 B x Q.
15 . . .
16 N-B3
N-BI
NxP
so
59
above.
fO
W
9 N-NSI
9 P
xi>
...
1 0 N-B3 N-KB3
0-0
14 p-K6 p X P
1 5 p X P Q-R5 ch
1 2 B-K2 N X N !
1 6 P-N3 B X N ch
1 0 N-Q.6 ch.
9 ...
1 0 N-Q.6 ch
K-IU
PxP
, Px P
1 5 Q.-N3 KN-'-Q.2
1 963 ; or I I . . . P-B3
1 5 B-KB4 P X N
1 2 B X P N-KB3
1 3 B-B4 Q;-K2 ch
14 N-K5 !
1 6 B-K3 P-N3
1 3 P X P ,N X P
1 7 B-Q.B4 P-KR3
14 N X N Q;-K I
1 8 p-Q.6 N-Q.2
60
u N x B eh
A very interesting, as yet untried alternative is I J N-N5 ! ? threatening
1 2 p-Q.6 ch followed by N-B7. After this, one somewhat bizarre possi
bility is I I . . . R-K I ( !) 1 2 p-Q.6 ch K-B I 1 3 N-B7 p X P dis. ch 1 4
N X R Q-R5 ch I S K-Q.2 (or 1 5 P-N3 p X P 1 6 N-B3 P-N7 dis. ch is
unclear) K X N 1 6 Q-K I ch Q. x Q. ch 1 7 K X Q. B-K4 and Black's chances
are not worse.
Another complex line is I I P X P as in the game Kavalek-Trapl,
Czech Championship 1 963. There followed I I . . . N X P 1 2 N X B ch
1 4 N-B3 Q-K3
I S N X N B X N 1 6 B-K2 K-N2
Q. X N 1 3 p-Q.6 ch K-B I
1 7 CH) N-B3 1 8 B-N4 Q. X Q.P 1 9 Q.-N3 and now Black blundered with
19 . . . Q-B2 ? losing instantly to 20 R X P ch ! Q. x R 2 I B-R6 ch. Instead
of 19 . . . Q-B2, White's attack is refuted by 19 . . . KR-KB I 20 Q. X NP
Q.R-N I .
11 . . .
12
P-Q.6 ch
Q,xN
12
1 3 N-B3
14 B-K2
.
K-BI
N-QB3
14
P-KR3
15 P x P
16 0-0
N(Q2) x P
White's passed queen's pawn and bishop pair provide ample com
pensation for the sacrificed pawn, but Black should be able to defend
himself satisfactorily. For example Gipslis-Grigorian, Kishinev 1 964,
continued 1 6 . . . N X N ch 1 7 B X N B-Q.S ch 1 8 K-RI K-N2 1 9 B-Q.S
R-B I ( 1 9 . . . p-B3 ?
23 Q-Q.S R-KB I
20 Q-N3 R-Q.N I
24 Q.R-Q. I Q.-N3
2 I B-K6 Q-Q. I
22 B-KB4 N-R4
61
B-N5 ch (from
This is one of the most highly regarded of all lines against the Modern
Benoni. Black cannot play 8 . . . Q.N-Q.2 since it losee a piece to 9 P-K5
followed by p-K6. Also 8 . . . B-Q.2 9 P-K5 is very strong for White ;
for example 9 . . . N-R4 (9 . . . B X B 1 0 P X N B X P 1 1 N X B (c-R4 ch
12
N-B3 B X N ch
1 3 P X B Q. X P ch
1 2 N X B 0--0
10 N-B3 P x P
1 1 P X P 0-0 ( 1 1
Madrid 1957, also leaves White with a big advantage after 1 4 (C-K2)
12 B XB N X B
win easily.
Thus it will be seen that Black has only one reasonable reply :
8 ...
9 Q.3
KN-Q.2
14 B-B I P-N3
1 2 0-0 N-1l3
1 3 Il-K I
1 96 1 , continued
1 3 P-1l3 P-Q.1l3
1 0 , . . N-1l3
1 4 B-B4 ? N X KP !
1 1 0-0 N-N5
1 2 B-K3
I S N X N Il-K I with a
I I 0-0 N-N5
1 2 B-K3 and
62
TM Modem Bmoni
as
1 7 B X N B. X N
1 8 N-N5
81ves White
a strong
20 N X P
43
0-0
9 ...
1 1 N-B3 0--0
..
. N-B.3 ( 1 2 . . . N-KB3
14 B-B J ! N-B.3
1 3 p-K5 ! or 1 2 . . . N-N3
1 5 P-KR.3 B X N
1 6 Q. X B N-N5
1 6 P-K5 B-N2
1 3 B.-K I B-N5
1 7 !C-Q. I , Sliwa
1 3 B.-K I N-B2
14 B-B I P-N3
. . . P--Q.R3
1 0 P--Q.R.4 !C-R.4 ! ?
15 P-B.3 Q.N--Q.2
lo N-B3
Black now has two reasonable plans starting with the moves 1 0 . . . N-B.3
and 1 0 . . . P-Q.R3 respectively. Other tenth moves are dealt with
later.
63
oH
B
(a)
10
. . .
N-R3
N-lIQ
11 0-0
1 2 N-Q.2 N-N5
obtain counterplay.
Also I I . . . N-N3 fails to equalise, for example 1 2 B-K3 R-K I
1 3 B
KB2 P-B5 1 4 B-B2 N-N5 1 5 B-N I B-N5 1 6 P-Q.R3 N-R3 1 7 P-R3 ,
Antoshin-Gusev, Moscow 1 962. Worth consideration, however, is I I . . .
R-N I ? ! to answer 1 2 N-Q.2 with . P-Q.N4 ! ( 1 3 N X P p-B5 !)
. .
Ut
N-Q.2
45
B
1 2 B2 R':"NI
1 3 P-Q.N3 P-Q.N4
14
1 7 B X N N3 ch 1 8 R-B2 Q.XB, etc.
1 2 K-R I also lacks bite. For example 1 2 . . . P-Q.R3
.
1 3 P-Q.R4 R-NI
64
1 4 P-RS P-N3
IS P X P R X P
1 6 N-Q.2 N..,.B3
1 7 Q-B3 N-N4
1 8 N-B4
...
N-B3
12
. .
1 4 B X N R-N I (O'Kelly
. .
16 B X B R X B
IS Q.-B3 Q-B2
1 4 N-B4
This line holds out the best prospects for Black to justify his plan of
13 P-KR3
R-KI
I S P-Q.R4 N-R3
P-Q.R3
19 P-BS ! B-K2
PxP
18 P-RS ! B-B I
22 p-Q.6 B x P
23 N x B Q. x N
16 N-B4 N-Q.NS
20 P X P BP X P
1 7 B-N I
2 1 P-KS !
playel'S overlooked at move 14 was that after 14 Q-B3 ? Black can win
a pawn with 14 . . . KN X Q.P !
I S P X N B-Q.S ch
ever, this tactical circumstance does little to affect the view that White's
position is clearly superior, for he may avoid the trap by playing
14 P-Q..R4 followed
this move order White has exactly the same plan as in the game above
and Black is in great difficulties avoiding Trifunovic's fate.
(b)
10
Here Black adopts the alternative plan of developing his queen's knight
on Q.2,. which with his queen on Q.B2 will restrain the threatened white
pawn advance in the centre.
With this move Black goes into a four pawns attack type of position,
in which he hopes that the misplacing of the White bishop on Q.3 will
make up for the move lost. (Black has forfeited two tempi in the
wanderings of his king's knight, while the White bishop has contrived
to reduce the net loss to one move.) Since Black's main fear is that
White will play P-KS, there is certainly some justification for his hopes,
The
Pawn Storm
Variation
65
12 0--0
Feeble is
12 . . .
13 P-KR3
14 Q.xB
15 B-Q.2
B-N5
BxN
Q.N-Q.2
15 . . .
. .
Q.-Ib
' "
1 7 Q.R-K I R-K2
(c)
No moves besides
of equality :
1 0 . . . N-R3 or 1 0
66
47
B
to delay
67
in Black's king's side. This line is interesting but needs further testa to
prove itself a reliable weapon. For example 9 . . . P-KJl3 1 0 Jt-QlI (or
1 0 B-U4 P-N3 1 1 2 Jt-Jt2 12 N-N3 B-1l3 1 3 P-Kll4 B X B 14XB P-Jtll4 15 B-N5 Q;-BI 16 P-K5 N-N5 17 p X P P-B5 with com
plications, Klaman-Vladimirov, Leningrad Championship 1965)
10 ... N2 1 1 N-N3 N-K4 12 B-U ll-KI 13 P-B4 N(It4)2
14 0-0 P-1l3 1 5 R4 P-JtR4 with a difficult struggle ahead, Klaman
Vladimirov, semi-final Leningrad Championship 1 966.
4B
As usual Black has the full range of typical Modern Benoni plans from
which to choose his continuation. We examine (i) 9 . . . R3, (ll) 9 .. .
P-N3, (ill) 9
(i) 9
...
9 . . . N-Jt l .
P-<Pls
This is the plan used by Keres and Tal in their defeats mentioned
above. It is therefore not surprising that it fell into disfavour, although
it seems that Black may adopt it without any disadvantage.
lo P-Q.14
11 P-R3
1 1 p.-:B4?
68
11 ...
III P-Ilf
Q.N-Q.1I
1 2 N-N3
is played
49
III
R-NI
12
R-KI
1 3 N-N3 P-BS 1 4 B-B2 N-B4. The former then continued I S ICB3
KN-Q.2 1 6 B-K3 P-Q.N4 1 7 P X P R-NI 1 8 ICB2 ! P X P - 19 P-KS !
P X P 20 P-BS ! ; and the latter game went I S K-RI B-Q,2 1 6 ICB3
K-RI 1 7 B-K3 N-NI 1 8 Q,R--Q. I P-Q,N4 19 p X P P X P 20 P-KS ! P X P
2 I P'-BS ! and in both cases White developed an overwhelming attack.
(See illustrative games.) Black should leave his rook on KB I where it
13 N-N3
14 B-B2
P-BS
P-Q.N4
IS P X P
16 B-K3
PxP
P-NSl
The position
Bertok-Portisch1 Stockholm
R-N4
White :
69
(ii) 9
. . .
This is yet another of Suetin's ideas. Black plans to exchange the white
squared bishops with . . B-Q,R3 in order to lessen the force of White's
attack and to gain more space for his own pieces. The line has only
seldom been played and certainly deserves more attention.
.
10 N-N3
It is not clear what is White's best method of continuing. Other lines
to have been played are as follows :
(a) 1 0 P-B4 B-Q.R3 1 1 B X B N X B 1 2 N-N3 P-BS 1 3 B-K3 N-B4
14 B-Q.4 R-K I I S P-BS N-Q,6 16 Q,-B3 N-K4 1 7 B x N R X B with good
play for Black, Giterman-Suetin, semi-final 29th U S S R Championship
1 96 1 .
(b) 1 0 B-KNS P-KR3 I I B-R4 B-R3 1 2 P-B3 B X B 1 3 Q, X B P-R3
14 Q,R-K 1 Q,N-Q,2 l S P-B4 Q-B2 1 6 N-N3 P-BS ! 1 7 Q,-Q.2 Q,R-K 1
Tu Modem Benoni
70
1 8 R.-K2 P-Q.N4
1 9 N-Q. I Q;-B4
ch
20 K-RI P-NS
1 96 1 .
10 . . .
R3
1 1 ....0"
11
III (tx B
BxB
N-N5
1 964.
1 3 Q;-Q.2 P-Q.R3 14 Q.R-KI R-R2 I S R-K2 P-Q.N4 1 6 P
KR3 N-K4 1 7 B-R6 B X B 1 8 Q.XB P-B3 with a sound equality.
The prospects are about even. The game Szabo-Ivkov, Belgrade
continued
(ill ) 9
. . .
is
9 . . . P-Q.R3
was in disrepute.
not certain what White's best reply is, since there are several
lo N-N3
This is the oldest and most often seen continuation, but many other
moves have also been tried here :
Banja
10 B-KN5
crucial is
10
71
P-R3
N-B2
14 Q.R-KI P-R3
for example
. .
1 966.
10 P-Q.R3, with the intention of disrupting Black's queen's side
with P-Q.N4, is a recent idea, but s":ould not prove dangerous. For
example 1 0 . . . R-K I (also interesting is 1 0 . . . N-B2 I I R-N I P-Q.N4
1 2 P-Q.N4 P-BS 1 3 B-B2 B-Q.2 as in Ojanen-Westerinen, Helsinki
1966) I I P-R3 P-BS 1 2 B-B2 N-B4 1 3 N-N3 p-KR4 \ 1 4 B-N5 Q-N3
I S R-N I N-R2 1 6 B-K3 P-RS with active play for Black, Ghitescu
Kavalek, Beverwijk 1 967.
(d) 10 P-B3 is very solid but has little other merit. Hort-Jakobsen,
Copenhagen 1 965, continued 1 0 . . . R-N I
I I P-R3 B-Q.2 12 R-N I
Q-B2 1 3 B-K3 P-BS 14 B-Q.B2 N-B4 IS N-Q.4 P-Q.N4 with good play
Palma
(c)
for Black.
10 . . .
N-B2
Also possible is 1 0
play
52
W
R-NI
P-KR3
I
R-K I is an interesting alternative. In the game Ivkov-Najdorf,
Havana 1 966, there followed 1 2 B-KB4 ( 1 2 P-Il4 may be stronger, but
11
I
. .
72
then 1 2
P-Q.N4 is very obscure) 1 2
P-Q.R3 1 3 P-Q.R4 R-N I
14 P-R5 P-QN4 1 5 P X p e.p. Q,R >S P and Black secured an active game
,
(see illustrative game)
P-Q,R3
P-Q,14
12
P-N3 1 3 P-B4 P-Q,R3 14 Q,-B3 P-Q.N4 was the old way of
treating the position, but since it is not dangerous for Black if White
plays P-R5, this is quite unnecessary and merely amounts to the loss
of a move.
13 P-B4
1 3 P-R5 P-Q,N4 gives Black the better chances after either 1 4 P-B4 P-N5
1 5 N-NI R-K I 1 6 Q,-B3 N-N4, Sallay-Varnusz, Hungarian Champion
ship 1 96 1 ; or 14 p x p e.p. R X P 1 5 P-B4 N-N4, Dozsa-Lengyel,
Budapest 1 962.
13
P-Q,N4
P xP
14 P x P
P-N5
15 Q,-B3
Black has a promising position. The game Garcia-Kavalek, Bucharest
1 966, continued 1 6 N-Q, I N-N4 1 7 B X N R X B 1 8 N-K3 N-Q,2 1 9 N
B4 N-N3 20 N-R5 B-Q,2 and Black's chances are not worse.
la
Illustrative Game
White : Ivkov Black : Najdorf Havana 1 966
I P-Q,4 N-KB3 2 P-Q,B4 P-KN3 . 3 N-Q,B3 P-B4 4 P-Q,5 B-!\!2 5 P-K4
P-Q,3 6 B-Q,3 0-0 7 KN-K2 P-K3 8 0-0 P X P 9 BP X P R-K I 1 0 N
N3 N-R3 I I P-KR3 N-B2 1 2 B-KB4 P-Q,R3 1 3 P-Q,R4 R-N I 14 P-R5
P-Q,N4 1 5 P X P e.p. Q,R X P 1 6 N-R4 R-N2 1 7 R-N I N-N4 1 8 P-N4
p-B5 ! 1 9 B-B2 N-Q,2 20 N-K2 N-K4 2 1 B-B I Q,-R5 22 P-B4 N-Q.2
23 B-N2 B X B 24 R X B N-B3 25 Q,N-B3 N X N 26 N X N B X P 2 7 Q,-Q,4
Other Systems
73
G. Other Systems
(from diagram I)
53
This is the most important of the less usual lines against the Modern
Benoni. White attempts to take advantage of the weak Black queen's
pawn.
7 ...
This is a natural but dangerous reply. Occasionally the attempt has
been made to anticipate White's next move with 7 . . . P-Q.R3, for
example 8 P-Q.R4 B-N2 9 P-K4 0-0 1 0 B-K2 (or 1 0 N-Q.2 N-R4 I I B-K3
N-Q.2 1 2 B-K2 KN-B3 1 3 0-0 R-N I 14 Q.-B2 N-K I 1 5 KR-K I , Rossetto
Lokvenc, Varna 1 962, and Black's position is uncomfortable) 1 0 . . .
Q.-K2 ? I I N-Q,2 Q.N--Q.2 1 2 0-0 N-K4 1 3 P-R3 N-K I 1 4 B-R2 P-B4
1 5 P-B4 N-Q.2 1 6 B,-Q.3, Bachmann-Langeweg, Scheveningen 1 963, and
again Black has difficulty in freeing himself. See Vaganian-Tal, p. 89
for improvements.
8
Q.-Jlt ch
This is the point of White's system, and is the only move to give
Black any worries. The slower plan of 8 P-KR3 0-0 9 P-K3 is com
pletely innocuous, for example 9 . . . P--Q.R3 (also 9 . . . P-N3 1 0 N--Q. 2
N-K I, I I N-B4 B-Q.R3 1 2 P--Q.R4 B X N 1 3 B X B, Keres-Tal, Estonia
v Latvia 1 954 ; and 9 . . . N-K I 1 0 B-K2 Q.N--Q2 1 1 0-0 N-K4 1 2 B X N
74
TM ModmI Bmoni
. .
8 . . . Q-Q.2
9 Q;-N3
10 P-Kf
10 . . .
0--0
11
B-IU
Other Systems
75
13 B x B
N x KP
(ii)
P-Kt P-KN3
IS B
This is a similar plan to the last, but in some ways is better motivated,
for now 7
B-N2 gives White good chances with 8 B-NS ch B-Q.2
9 B-K2 ! (9 B X P ? B X B 1 0 N X B Q.-R4 ch I I N-B3 N X KP loses for
76
White, and
Q,3
56
B
Q.3
both from the point of view of-restraining Black's queen's side advance,
and for preparing play in the centre.
8 ...
0-0
90-0
B-N51
. .
Other
lo P-KR3
11 Q.x B
12 P-Q.1lf
77
B xN
P-Q.R3
12 . . .
13 Q.-K2
Systems
Q.N-Q.2 .
Q.N-Q.2
13 . . .
R-KI
:S-KNS
P-KN4 ?!
78
TM Motkm Benoni
8 .. .
0-0
g P-KR4
14 N-B2 P--Q.N4
1 7 B-K2 Il-N5
1 8 p X P BP X P
1 5 P X Q.NP RP X P
1 9 P-N5 N-R4,
16 B X P B--Q.2
Harlamov-Kogan,
Vilna 1 966 ;
and in all cases Black's counter-attack was beginning to dominate.
57
W
79
for he cannot allow p-x5 and so he must play . . . P-Q.3 at once. How
ever, if Black fean the fianchetto variation or the knight's tour attack
he may prefer this move order since White cannot transpose into those
particular lines.
The Hypermodern Benoni preserves its own character in only two
distinct cases. Firstly, White may try to refute Black's play with 6 P
Q.6( !), and this does indeed look very promising; and secondly, White
may still adopt the knight's tour plan of establishing his king's knight
at Q.B4. With the Black pawn not yet on Q.3, however, this loses much
of its point.
7 B-NS
This was Tal's suggestion to justify 6 p-Q.6, but also the simple 7 B-B4
seems sufficient to maintain a plus. Euwe's "Archives" suggest the
following possibilities : 7 . . . B-N2 8 Q;-Q.2 or 7 . . . Q.XNP ? 8 B-x5.
..
N-14
7 . . . B-N2
I ...
P-B3
I N-B3
80
9 K3
B xP
0-0
P-N3
59
9 N5
lo 14
P-K3
B R3
11
81
(a)
2 P-QB4 P-B4
g N-KBg
Sa
TM MfHIma Bmtmi
Annotated Games
J . White :
Stet.ko
Black :
Bangiye
197 1 .
Apart from demonstrating the strength of the Soviet Navy, this game
gives a good demonstration of some recent possibilities discovered for
Black to counter the fianchetto variation.
P-Q.R3
This move has been the most popular in the early seventies, though
as we have seen Black has several reliable alternatives.
. .
11
R-KI la N-B4
After
. ..
As usual White wants to play P-B4 without allowing the black knight
to advance to
14
P-Ilf
...
KN5.
AMOtated Games
83
This king's side advance is the most radical solution to Black's strategic
problems, though also 1 4 . . . R-N I is possible ; the critical continuation
then is that of the game Marovic-Kapengut, Erevan 197 1 : I S P-K4
( I S K-R2 P-B4 1 6 p-K4 P-KBS ! 1 7 p X P Q- RS 1 8 P X N B X KP ch is too
dangerous for White) I S . . . p-B4 ! 16 P x P B X P 1 7 P-KN4 B x P 1 8
P X B Q--RS 1 9 P X N R-KBI ! ( 1 9 . . . N-NS 20 B-B4 B-K4 2 1 Q--B 3 R-KB I
fails to 22 Q--N3) 20 p-R6 ! B-RI 2 I N-K4 N-NS 22 Q. x N ! Q. x Q. 23
N-B4 and it remains unclear whether White's pieces or Black's queen
should be superior. After 23 . . . P-Q.N4 ! one can scarcely assess the
position as 'equal' though it would be fair to say that the better player
has all the chances.
60
W
IS P-K4
Here too IS K-R2 can be met by I S ' " P-KBS ! 1 6 P x P Q--RS 1 7 P X N
B X KP ch with a ferocious attack.
IS . . . P-Q.N41 16 N-K2
Very tame, but after 1 6 P x NP RP X P I 7 N (B3) x P B-Q.R3 White is in
deep trouble.
16 . . . P x KP 17 B x P B x P 18 B-N2 B-NS 19 P-B3 B-Q.2 20 P
KN4 N x NPl
This blow completes the destruction of the white king's defences and the
rest is just the execution of the naked monarch.
21 P x P B x KNP 22 B-B3 Q.-RS 23 N-B2 B-Kof q R-B2 B x B
2S R x B R-KBI 26 Q.R-R3 P-NS 27 Q.R-K3 Q.-R7 ch 28 K-BI
Q;--RB ch 29 N-NI N-N6 ch 30 K-B2 Q.-R7 ch White resigned.
2. White : DODDer Black : PlaDinc Wijk aan Zee 1973
A new move casts doubt on the Knight's Tour Variation.
I P-Q.4 N-KB3 2 P-Q.B4 P-B4 3 P-Q.S P-K3 4 N--Q. P x P
S P x p P-Q.3 6 N-B3 P-KN3 7 N--Q.2 B-N2 8 N-B4 0--0 9 B-Bof
P-N31 ?
84
BxP
10 . . . R-KI
1 1 B-N3 N--KSl
la N x N
61
B
16 . . . B-Q.R3!
17 B x R
Also 1 7 Q,-Q.2 B x N 1 8 1! x B
should win for Black.
Q. x
Annotated Games
85
P-KR4 !
23 K-N2 N
Black thinkS that the central position will take care of itself while he
attacks on the king's side, but he has an unpleasant shock awaiting him
in another five moves. The right method was demonstrated in the game
F . Portisch-Timoshhenko, Vilnyus 1 969, where Black played 1 8 . . .
B--Q2 securing the better prospects after 1 9 N X N B X N 2 0 N-K3 B--Q.S
2 1 K-R I R-K I
22 N-B4 K-N2.
20 . . . N x N
21 P x N Q. x RP
N-B4 Q.-K2
23 P-K5 !
After this typical thrust White's pieces rush in and Black is helpless
despite his extra material.
23 . , . B x P 24 N x B Q. x N 25 Q-N6 Q.-K2
26 K-RI !
N-R3
I I Q.-B2
The main alternative is I I P-Q.R4 with the following possibilities :
(a) I ! . . . N-K4 1 2 Q-B2 P-KN4 1 3 N-B4 ! (Better than the 1 3 N-B3
of Gligoric-Fischer, Palma 1 970) 1 3 . . . N x N 1 4 B x N N-NS I S N-K2 !
P--QR3 1 6 R-R3 Q-K2 1 7 R-KN3 ! P-R3 1 8 P-B4, Najdorf-Ree, Wijk
86
. .
. .
. .
11 . . .
N-141?
With this bold move Black sacrifices his pawn formation for active
play and attacking chances. 1 1 . . . N-K4 and 1 1
P-Q.R3 are the less
imaginative alternatives to Fischer's imaginative idea.
I B x N P x B 13 N-B4
. .
"
B
. .
Annotated Games
87
16 . . . P x N 17 B-B4 Q.-B3
Compare this position with that of Gligoric-Kavalek above ; White's
knight on QB3 is very passively placed compared with Gligoric's
on B4.
18 P-KN3?
1 8 B-N3 is far superior since 1 8 . . . p-KR4 ? is met by 1 9 N-NS.
22 Q.R-KI Q.-N3 !
This prevents P-KS and prepares for the eventual win of the White KP.
23 P-N3 R-K2 24 Q.-Q.3 R-NI 25 P x P P x P ri P-N4 P-BS
but I think the position should still be lost. 41 . . . B-Q,6 ch and White
J'esigned ; after 42 K-K3 Q.-Q.8 Black wins very quickly.
S. White : GUgoric Black : Minic Yugoslavia 1 9 72
Games like this one often make me feel that Gligoric is not the right
opp:ment to choose if one wants to play the Modern Benoni, though
some people seem able to get way with it.
--
Now is the right moment for this move. White played less forcefully
P-Q.N4 1 8 P
17
_ .
Q.R3
19 . . P-KI4 o N x Q,P! Q, x N 21 P-KS Q,-Q,I P-Q,6 N-K3
3 P x N B x P 4 P-BS! P x P
White :
Spassky
Black :
Savon
Moscow
1971
This confirms the dangers to Black i n the pawn storm line with
B -N 5 ch.
KB3,
Annotated Garms 89
14 D-Q,2 with some advantage to White ; Zaitsev
1 3 P-R3 Q,N-Q,2
Radev, Albena 1 970.
9 . . 0--0 10 N-B3 N-R3 I J 0--0 R-NI 12 K-RI N-B2 13 P-Q,R4
P-Q,R3 14 P-BS
At first sight this move creates an ugly i mpression, but it opens up
.
Black : Tal
39th
U S S R Ch. 1 9 7 1
Q-R4 ch B - Q,2
9 Q-N3 Q,-B 2
90
. .
Annotated Ga1l1ls
91
. . .
..
. .
2.
94
With the exception of the Modern Benoni, which is perhaps too pre
carious for the average taste, the most popular Benoni system currently
is that introduced by the moves I P-<U N-KB, 2 P-Q.Bof P-8.f
, P-Q.5 P-Kf of N-Q.B, P-Q3 - 5 P-Kf IU
65
W
Until recently this line was considered too passive, since it was thought
that the bishop on K2 was not well placed to facilitate the natural
advance . . . P-KB4. It seemed that the development plan of . . . P-KN3
and . . . B-N2 was better designed for this purpose. In recent years,
however, games by the leading young Czech players (particularly
Hort, Kavalek and Jansa) have shown that much may be gained by
placing the bishop on K2 at this stage. The possibility of exchanging
the 'bad' bishop by means of . . . B-KN4 is perhaps the most common
thematic idea, and dealing with this positional threat is one of the
problems with which White is faced.
On the minus side, Black must take into account the increased
difficulty in preparing . . . P-KB4, since this is the natural method of
freeing his position. If this is to be effective, Black needs to play a
preliminary . . . P-KN3, since he must be ready to recapture on his KB4
with a pawn. Here the drawback of . . . B-K2 is felt, since . . . P-KN3
appears to weaken the Black squares seriously
if there
is no bishop on
KN2. But if the bishop is elsewhere, then why not let the knight perform
its duties ? Mter castling, Black wishes to move his king's knight to
free the KB-pawn, and also to threaten . . . B-KN4 in some circumstances ;
the natural squares for it to occupy are K I or KR4, and from either of
these it is keeping a watchful eye on the important KN2.
This plan may sound very slow and tortuous, but it is justified by
the blocked nature of the central position which makes it difficult for
White to organise an effective break-through while Black is carrying
out his manoeuvres.
Whie has a large variety of plans from which to choose while Black
95
66
W
67
96
The
C(.ech Benoni
to seize the initiative with . . . P-B4. The players, in fact, shortly agreed
to a dra iV.
In diagram 67 we see the same type of position, but here White's plan
has failed completely. This was reached in the game Pachman
Cioca1tea, Harrachov 1966, after Black's 19th move. Here Black had
gained the initiati.ve on the queen's side with a timely . . . P-Q.N4 and
now has broken through with . . .P-KB4 also. The position of the White
king is now very exposed and Black has a clear advantage.
68
W
Diagram 68, on the other hand, shows the result of inaccurate play on
Black's part. The position was reached after Black's fifteenth move in
the game Radev-Kirov, Bulgarian Championship 1 966 . White played
a very early P-KR4 in anticipation of Black's . : . P-KN3. Black then un
wisely refrained from playing this move, thereby allowing White to
post a knight at KB5 where it was exchanged f<?r a bishop. Black's pre
occupation with play on the queen's side has allowed his opponent a
free hand on the other wing, where White quickly broke through with
a decisive attack.
6g
TM C,," Bmtmi
97
taken place on the queen's side : White has played N4 which was
answered with . . . N3. The subsequent exchange of pawns
has left
K2 in the
Q. J and eventually R4 under circumstances such as
il\ustrates well the difficulties facing both sides. It does, perhaps, pose
Black with too few direct problems for White to entertain great hopes
of an advantage, though Black must play with accuracy to avoid obtain
6 N-B3
, B-IU
8 0--0
0--0
N-KI
. . .
. . .
70
with
Havana
gO
TM CI;,Qa Bmmd
N-1l3
1 3 B-N4 N-Bll
White.
8 .. .
1 4 B X B Q. X B
N-Q..
...
P-KN3, though
that move
9 B-Jl6
(9 N-KI N-Nll
I P-Q.N4 B X B
1 3 .Q X B N-Q.ll
advantage to Black)
1 1 N-KN5 B X N
1 2 Q, X B P-B3
14 B-Q. I B-1l3
N-N2
1 0 (C-Q,2 N-Q.2
1 1 Q.1l-Q. 1 (after
1 5 p X P N XBP
1 2 P-1l3 N-B3
1 3 N-KI N-N I
12 N XP !
14 B-K3
1 4 N4 P-N3
I II B N-B I
1 3 P-Q.1l3
9 P-Q.R3 (see
diagram 7 1 ) '
This preparation for queeri's side play is the most accurate continuation
...
P-KN3 and
then to develop the queen on Q.2. Thus 9 P-Q.R3 also serves partly as a
waiting move, hoping for Black to commit himself. Other moves are
less promising:
(a) 9 B-K3 P-KN3
KR4
1 3 P-B3 N-R2
1 0 p-KN4 1 ? N-N2
1 1 K-R I N-B3
1 2 N-Q.2 P
10 B-R6 N-N2
[ I N-Q.2 P-R3
13 p X P p X P
1 2 P-Q.R3 P-B4
14 P-B4 R-B3 1 ?
(c)
9 N-K I B-N4 1
1 2 P-N3 B X B
10 P-Q.R3 P-KN3
1 3 Q. X B P-B4
14 KP X P NP X P
1 3 P-B4 p X P
14 Q. x p K2
1 5 Q.R-K I P-B3
1 6 N
9 .
10 B-R6
10 N-KI N-N2
14 B X B Q. X B
P-KNS
N-Nst
1 1 N-Q.3 P-B4
I II P-B3 P-Q.1l3
99
71
B
1 1 Q--Q.2
This is most accurate since it effectively prevents I I
P-B4 in view
of the reply 1 2 P X P P X P 1 3 N-KN5 with a very dangerous attack.
I I P-Q,N4 P-B4 led to advantage for Black in the game Malich-Jansa,
Harrachov 1 966, which continued 1 2 R-N I P-N3 1 3 Q;-Q2 P-B5
1 4 Q,-Q, I P-KN4 1 5 N-Q,2 R-B3 ! 1 6 B X N ( 1 6 B X P R-N3 gives Black a
strong attack) K x B 1 7 B-N4 P-KR4 ? ! 1 8 B X P R-R3 1 9 B-N4 N -B3
with good compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
72
B
JI . . .
N-B3
An interesting and very solid idea here is to leave the knight on Q,2
until completing the defences on the queen's side. For example the
game Uhlmann-Vasiukov, Hastings 1 965-6, continued I I . . . K-R I
1 2 P-Q,N4 P-N3 1 3 KR-Q, I P-R3 1 4 R-N I R-R2 1 5 R-N2 K I !
1 6 p X P NP X P 1 7 KR-N I B-Q. I ! 1 8 B-Q. I B-R4 1 9 B-R4 Q, I
20 Q,-Q,3 N-B3 2 1 B- Q,2 N-N I with equality. Black's position is im
penetrable, since 22 R-N8 only leads to a draw after 22 . . . B-B2 23
R (8 ) -N2 B-R4. If White wishes to try for more against this play he
should hold the tension on the queen's side with 1 6 B-Q. I instead of
1 6 P X P, though this may lead to very double-edged play and Black's
chances should not be worse.
I. PN4
Slower tactics get White nowhere ; the game Nikitin-Muratov. Kiev
1 965, for example, continued 1 2 N-K I K-RI 1 3 N-Q.3 N-NI 14 B-Kg
P-B4 1 5 P-B3 P-B5 1 6 B-B2 P-JtN4 1 7 P-Q.N4 P-N3 1 8 P-Q.R4
P-Q.R4. and Black's attack on the king's side is more dangerous than
his opponents on the opposite wing.
P-N3
Ill . . .
K-RI
IS N-KI
14 P xP
NP xP
15 P-8.f
Gligoric has suggested 1 5 N-Q.3 here. though it is doubtful whether
White can claim any advantage after 1 5 ' " N-NI followed by . P-B4.
N-Nd
15 . . .
1 5 . . . P x p ? led to great difficulties for Black in the game Malich
Jansa. Havana 1 966, after 1 6 B X P N-Q.2 1 7 N-Q.3 P-N4 1 8 B-N3
P-B4 1 9 P-K5 when White rapidly obtained a decisive advantage.
K xB
16 B x N ch
17 P xP
PxP
The chances in this position are even. The game Malich-Polugaievsky,
Havan 1 966, continued 1 8 N-B3 B-Q.3 1 9 N-Q.N5 N-B3 20 B-Q.3
B-NI 2 I Q.R-NI B-Q.2 22 N-B3 P-Q.R3 23 N-K!l B-Q.3 and White
was completely unable to exploit his passed queen's pawn. The game
was drawn eleven uneventful moves later.
. .
7 B-Q.3
73
B
N-KI
7 ...
It is very difficult to decide what plan Black should adopt here, since
White's formation is extremely flexible. In particular, White will
delay castlir.g until it is clear what the situation demands : whether he
should castle long and pursue an attack on the Black king ; or leave his
own king in the centre and try to increase his spatial advantage on both
wings. Thus Black does best to keep his position as flexible as possible
also, in readiness for whatever White may choose to do. For this reason
7 . . . N-K I is a good non-committal reply. Also good is 7 . . . P-Q.R3,
which is useful in any circumstances, and particularly serves to dissuade
White from castling on the queen's side where he will be subjected, to
an attack with a prompt . . . P-Q,N4. The game Savon-Hort, Orebro
1 966, went 7 . . . P-Q,R3 8 P-KR3 Q,N-Q.2 9 P-Q,R4 N-R4 1 0 N-K2
P-KN3 1 1 P-KN4 N-N2 1 2 N-N3 N-B3 1 3 B-K3 B-Q.2 1 4 2
P-Q,R4 15 B-R6 K-R I 16 Q,-B2 N-N I 17 B-K3 Q,-K I 18 N-Q.2 B-R5
1 9 P-N3, and in this complicated position with about equal chances, a
draw was agreed. Black's most common cause of downfall in this
variation is an excess of passivity. An example of this syndrome is the
game Spassky-Ciocaltea, Beverwijk 1 967, which continued 7 . . . Q,N-Q.2
8 Q,-K2 N-K I (8 . . . N-R4 is more promising) 9 P-KN4 ! (with the Black
Queen's bishop hemmed in, there is no need to prepare this with P-KR3)
P-KN3 1 0 B-R6 N-N2 1 1 0-0-0 N-B3 1 2 P-KR3 P-R3 13 Q,R-N I
B-Q,2 14 N-Q.2 K-R I 1 5 P-KR4 and White already has the makings
of a very powerful attack (see illustrative games) .
102
8 P-KR3
This move is often played at move six or seven, but there is no need
for White to declare his 'intentions so early.
8 ...
P--Q.R3
It is best to lose no time in preparing counterplay on the queen's
wing in anticipation of White's coming attack on the opposite side of
the board. In the game Petkevitch-Vitolinsh, Latvian Championship
1 96 7, Black played an immediate 8 . . . P-KN3 9 B-R6 N-N2 1 0 P-KN4
N-Q.2 I I P-KR4 N-B3 12 N-R2 K-R I 1 3 P-R5, Whi te had some
advantage. Also unsatisfactory in this type o( position is the manoeuvre
8 . . . N-R3 9 B-K3 Q.N-B2 for after 1 0 P-R3 Black has nothing better
than 1 0 . . . P-Q.N3 when the knight on B2 is left misplaced, Krogius
Kotov, R SFSR 1 957.
74
W
9 P-R3
9 P-Q,R4 is a commonly seen alternative, in order to put a stop
to
1 3 N-N3 K-R I
1 6 K-K2 P-N3
1 0 B-R6 N-N2
I I P-KN4 N-Q.2
1 7 P-N3 Q.-B I
1 8 Q,R-KN I
R-R2
12
N-K2
I S B-Q,2 B-Q.2
1 9 R-N2 Q.-B2
I S B-K3 B-Q,2
1 6 Q-B2 P-QN4
1 7 P-N3 P X RP
18 P XP
m ov e
N -Q.2
P-KN3
10 . . .
This is the usual, and indeed the most natural, move at this point,
but it is by no means clearly the best. A recent idea is to abandon this
attempt at king's side play to concentrate on preparation for
. . . P-Q.N4,
1 967,
1 0 . . . N-B2 I I P-N4 P-QN4 ! 1 2 P X NP RP X P
1 3 B-K3 B-R3 1 4 0-0 Q--N I
1 5 N-Q2 P-B5 1 6 B-K2 N-N3 1 7
Q--B 2 P-R3 1 8 P-QR4 B-N4 with a good game for Black. Another
team
championship
Moscow
11
12
B-R6
P-N4
P-KN4.
N-N2
1 2 Q-Q2 N-B3
1 3 N-K2 K-R I
1 966, in which
1 4 N-N3 N-N I 1 5 B-K3, Black
1 5 . . . P-QN4 ! since 1 6 Px P P x P
12 . . .
P-N3
1 3 N-K2
1 966, in
3 1 4 1'>-:->3 K-R I 1 5 Q- <> '2 N-N I
1 8 KR-KI\" I P-B3 1 9 QR-N I B-Q I
-B
1 04 TM Cz;ee/& Benoni
IUrutratWe Gamu
I 1'--Q4 N-KB3
B-it2
6 N-B3 0--0
1 0 B-R6 N-N2
7 B-Q.3 Q.N-Q.2
14 N-Q.2 ! K-RI
1 5 P-KR4 N-NI
19 p x p
23 N X P N-R4
31 N-K4 R X P
34 Q-N3 P-KN4
35 N x B R X N
White : Pol1lgaievsky
I 1'--Q4 N-KB3
B-K2
1 0 B-R6 N-N2
K3 P-Q.R3
I'--QN4
B-Q.I
file)
4 N-Q.B3 P-K4
8 P-KR3 N-Q.2
1 2 N-K2 K-RI
5 P-K4
9 P-R3 P-KN3
1 3 N-N3 N-NI
14 B
1 7 K-K2 R-N I
1 8 KR-KNI Q-KI
2 I Q.R-KB I Q-K2
22 N-B3 B x N
1 9 Q.R-NI
23 P x B
24 P X P P-B4
2 8 R-NI Q-B I
ch
33 B-K4 Q-R4
ch resigns.
3 1'--Q 5 P-B4
I I P-KN4 N-B3
1 6 P-N3 B-Q.2
25 Q-N2 N X R
29 Q-K4 B x B
32 N(K4)-B6 Q-Q.B2
7 N-D3 N-KI
20 N-Q.2 B-R5 !
2 1 N-B3 N-N5
1 5 Q-B2 ( 1 5 p-N4 !
P X P (23 . . . P-B4
28 p-K6 B-KN4
36 Q-K5
2 P-Q.B4 P-Q.3
6 B-Q.3 0--0
1 7 P-N5 B-KI
20 P X P P X P
24 N X P(N4) ! ! N-N6
2 7 Q. x N R-KR2
30 Q. X B Q-K2
1 3 Q.R-NI B-Q.2
1 6 B-K3 P-KR4
e.p. N X P
5 P-K4
9 P-KN4 P-KN3
8 Q-K2 N-KI
1 2 P-KR3 P-R3
1 8 P-B4 p-B4 ? !
22 R X N P X R
4 N-Q.B3 P-Q.3
3 P-Q.5 P-K4
I I 0--0--0 N-B3
2 6 p-K5 ! ! R-B2
Beverwijk 1 967
25 N-R2 Q-KI
29 Q-N2 ! P X NP
26 R-N I N-B3
2 7 R X R Q. X R
30 P-KR4 N(N2)-R4
3 1 N-B I N-NI
Q-B I !
34 B X R
ch Q. X B
35 K-K I Q-B6
0-0
6 P-KN3
The pawn sacrifice 6
P-Q.N4 has been played even at this early stage.
and is a good practical alternative to the text move. For example :
P-Q.R3. as was played
7 P x P 0-0 (less accurate is the immediate 7
in Portisch-Damjanovic, Monaco 1 968, which continued 8 N-B3 0-0
9 N-Q.2 p X P 1 0 N X P N-R3 I I N-Q.B3 N-B2 1 2 N-B4 B-Q.R3 1 3 B
Q.3 lCQ,2 1 4 N-N6 with advantage to White) 8 B-R3 P-Q.R3 9 B X B
Q. X B 1 0 p X P N X RP I I N-B3 P-B5 1 2 0-0 N-B4 1 3 N-Q.2 N-Q.6
with compensation for the pawn, Pachman-Jansa, Harrachov 1 966.
6 N-R3 7 B-R3 is unsatisfactory for Black. Vladimirov-Sergievsky,
Sochi 1 966, continued 7 . . . N-B2 8 B X B Q. X B 9 N-B3 lCQ,2 1 0 Q.
K2 P-Q.R3 I I P-Q.R4 R-Q.NI 1 2 0-0 0-0 1 3 P-R5 .
.
7 N2
Developing the bishop on KR3 has also been tried here. Krogius
Polugaievsky, Sochi 1 966, continued 7 B-R3 B X B 8 N X B Q.-B I
9 N-KN5 P-KR3 1 0 N-B3 N-R2 I I Q;-Q.3 N-R3 1 2 P-Q.R3 N-B2
1 3 B-K3 Q;-R6 with equality. The ambitious 7 p-KR4 ? ! is also possible ;
for example 7 . . . Q.N-Q.2 8 B-R3 P-Q.N4 ! ? 9 P x P P-Q.R3 l O P X P
P-B5 I I B-K3 Q;-R4 1 2 Q.-B2 B-Q. I ! 1 3 N-B3 B-N3 14 B X B Q. X B
1 5 0-0 B X P 1 6 KR-N I N-B4 with good play for the pawn, Donner
Kavalek, The Hague 1 966. See also the game Addlson-Vasiukov at
the end of this section for another very interesting example of this line.
The pawn sacrifice . . P-Q.N4 is also effective if White plays N-KB3
too early. The game Ivkov-Hort, Sousse 1 967, went 7 N-KB3 Q.N-Q.2
8 B-N2 P-Q.N4 9 Px P P-Q.R3 I O N-Q.2 P X P I I N X P B-Q.R3 1 2 B
B I N-N3 1 3 N-B3 B X B 1 4 N X B Q;-B I 1 5 N-K3 Q;-R6 16 Q;-B2 P-N3
1 7 Q;-N2 Q. X Q. 1 8 N X Q. N-R5 and Black stood no worse.
7 ...
N-KI
Black does best to keep his position flexible. 7 . . . N-R3 is unsatisfactory :
8 KN-K2 B-Q.2 9 0-0 N-B2 1 0 P-B4 N-K I I I Q.-Q3 B-B3 1 2 P-B5 ,
.
8 KN-
8 N-B3 is ineffective since it hinders the advance of the KBP and allows
Black to develop q ueen s sid(; play. Suetin-Batnikov, Moscow 1 96 1 ,
con tinued 8 . . Q,N-Q,2 9 P-KR4 Q,N-B3 1 0 Q;-Q. 2 N-B2 1 I N B J B-Q.2
1 2 P-R4 P-Q.N3 1 3 N-K3 P-N3 14 B-B3 P-Q,R3 1 5 P-Q.R5 P-Q.N4
with some advantage for Black.
'
--
77
B
N-Q.2
8 ...
Vranesic-
8 . . . ,-R3
0- 0 Q,N--B2
P-Q,R4
1 !2 P-B4 B-B3
13 B!2 P-Q,1t3
14 N-BI , when 14
P-Q.N4 1
.,.
B
P-KN3
9 ...
P-Q.1t3 1 0 P-Q.1l4 P-Q.N3 has been played a number of times here :
9
(a) I I !CQ.3 It-N I 1 2 B-Q.2 ( 1 2 It-N I is better) P-N3 1 3 P-N3
P-B4 1 4 P-B4, Clarke-Langeweg, Kecskemet 1 964, and now 14
N-N2 is safe and good.
(b) I I B-K3 It-N I 1 2 !CQ.3 N-B2 ! [ 3 P-B4 B-B3 14 It-N I It-K I
1 5 P-B5 B-K2 16 K-Itl K-It l 1 7 N-N I with equal chances, Pachman
Watzka, Vrnjacka Banja 1 967.
(c) [ I B-Q.2 R-N I 1 2 N-B I N-B2 1 3 K2 B-B3 14 R-N [ R-K2
1 5 N ( I )-R2 ! P-Q,1l4 1 6 N-N5 , Korchnoi-Udovcic, Belgrade 1 957
White may also omit P-Q.1l4 in this line : Cobo-Boey, Lugano 1 968,
went 9
P-Q,R3 10 B-K3 P-KN3 I I Q,2 N-N2 1 2 P-B4 P-B4
1 3 K-R I ( 1 3 P-KR3 B-B3 1 4 K-R2 P-N3 1 5 Q,R-K I R-R2 = , Andersen
Hort, Krems 1 967) P X BP 1 4 N X P N-K4 1 5 P-N3 N-N5 1 6 B-N I
B-B3 with chances for both sides.
N-N2
10 B-R6
1 1 Q.-Q.2
The position is now delicately balanced and prospects are even. Two
examples : (i) I I . . . P-B4 1 2 P-B4 R-B2 1 3 P-N3 p.,-Q,R3 1 4 B-R3
B-B3 1 5 Q,R-B I K2 1 6 BP X P N X P 1 7 B X N B X B [ 8 p X P p X P
1 9 N-1l4 p-B5 ! ?, Lengyel-Cobo, Havana 1 966. (ii) I I . . . N-B3 1 2 P
KR3 K-R I 1 3 B-K3 N-Q,2 14 K-R2 P-B4 15 P-B4 KP X P 1 6 B X P
P-KN4 I 7 B-K3 N-K4 1 8 P-N3 B-Q, [ 9 N-N I P-Q,R3 2 0 N-B3,
. .
In both
assess.
cases
the
remlting position is
very
108
TM C_ BIIfIItIi
IllIulraliw GatM
White: Addf"Oll
65 :
79
B
8 0-0
If 8 N-N3 Black achieves excellent . prospects with 8
N-B5 ! Ivlev
Batnikov, Moscow 1 967, then continued 9 B X N P X B 10 N-R5 B-N4
J I P-KN3 P-KB4 1 2 N XBP P X P 1 3 B X P B XN 1 4 P X B R X P 1 5
(C-R5 R-R5 1 6 (C-K2 N2 1 7 0--0-0 N-B3 and Black stands better.
Another try here is 8 B-K3 as in Peterson-Godes, Sochi 1 966, when
after 8
B-N4 9 !C"Q.2 B X B 10 Q.X B R3 J I P-KN3 P-KN3 1 2
P-B4 P x P 1 3 P x P (C-R5 ch 14 (C-B2 chances were about even.
B-N.f
8 ...
9 P-Q.R3
In the game Karaklaic-Bertok, Yugoslav Championship 1 962, White
secured the better game after 9 B X B Q. x B 10 (C-B I (C-K2 I I (C-K3
N-R3 ? 1 2 Q.R-KI N-B2 1 3 P-B4 N X BP 14 N X N P X N 1 5 Q.xp.
Instead of 1 1
N-R3 ? Black should have played J I
Q.N2 or
11
P-KN3, since the queen's knight is needed to guard the important
K4 square.
P-Q.R3
g ...
Also satisfactory is 9
P-KN3. Scalcotas-Plachetka, Ybbs 1 968, con
tinued 1 0 PN4 P-N3 1 1 Q.R-NI B X B 1 2 Q.X B Q.N2 1 3 (C-R6
(C-K2 14 P-N3 Q.N-B3 15 P-B3 K-RI with equality.
10 P-Q.N.f
P-Q.N3
Porath-Doda, Havana 1966, now continued J I P X P NP X P 1 2 R-NI
B X B 1 3 Q.XB N2 14 (C-K3 P-N3 1 5 R-N3 N-N2 1 6 KR-NI P-B4
with equal chances.
1 10
Q-B3 ch
33
29 K-R2 Q-B2
p x p ch N x P
3 1 Q-KS Q;-NI
32 P-B4 P-BS
R-KN I resigns.
A more active attempt by Black was seen in the game Simagin
. . . 0--0
8 P-KR4 P--Q.R3
7 N-N3 N-K I
80
B
9 P-Q,R4 P-Q.N3
1 2 N X P N-B3
1 0 N-B5 B X N
1 3 N-N5 R-K I
1 1 P Y- B
1 4 B-K2 Q.N-Q.2
1 5 K-B I N-K4
16
9 P-R5 B-N4 !
is 8 . . . P-KN3
IQ B X B Q.X B
B XP
B-B3
1 3 P-R3 B-Q.2
1 4 P- Q.N4 P-N3
1 0 B-K2 N-R3 ( 1 0 . . .
I I Q-Q2 N-B2
1 5 K-B l
1 2 P-R5
with advantage,
UIl
R--Q.N I
0--0
14 B-K3 P-B5
P--Q.R3
P XP
1 0 P--Q.R3 P-Q.N4
=,
12 NXN PXN
1 0 - B-K3 P-Q.N4 !
1 4 P X P B--Q.2
I I p X P N X NP
I I P X P N X NP
1 5 0-0 Q-B2
0--0
12 N XN P XN
0--0
1 3 P-Q.N4
9 B-K2
1 3 P-N4
1 0 KN-K2 N-R4
P--Q.R3 N-BS
P-KR4
9 0--0 P-RS
1 3 Q. X B P-KN4
14
(c) 6 . . .
Q.N-Q.2
7 N-N3 p-N3
8 B-K2 P--Q.R3
9 B-R6 B-B I
=,
II
Niki6n-Lyu
Postscript
One variation not yet discussed and yet very closely related to the
Czech Benoni is that introduced by the moves I P-Q.of N-KB3 2 p
(tB4 P-Bof 3 P-Q,S P-Kf of N-Q,B3 P-Q.3 5 P-Kf Q.N-Q.2.
For some time I thought of this as an option preserving system,
with Black awaiting events before deciding what to do with his king's
J 12
81
W
I 13
king's side, while also it is nice to have possibilities of . . . P-Q,N4 in the air.
Nevertheless, if White proceeds with his plan of P-Q,N4 answering
P-Q,N3 with the advance of the Q,RP to R5, Black may feel that his
Q,RP belongs on . . . Q,R2 . Like all interesting moves, 8 . . . P--Q.R3 has both
plusses and minuses and we shall have to wait for a great deal more
experience before reaching a final judgement.
9 R-Q,NI
9 P-Q,N4 would allow . . . P--Q.N4 with good play for Black, since 10
P x BP is met by . . . Q,N X P with an attack on the KP.
9 . . . K-RI !?
This continue the waiting policy while already preparing the thematic
wandering manoeuvre of the Q,N to KN I .
i o 0--0 N-KI 1 1 P-Q,N4 P-KN3 1 2 B-R6 N-N2 13 Q,-BI?1
1 3 Q,-Q,2 is normal and correct.
13 . . . P-N3 14 N-KII?
This allows Black to gain the initiative ; better was 1 4 P--Q.R4 keeping
the knight on KB3 to retain the possibility of answering . . . P-B4 with
N-KN5
14 P-B4!
It is very pleasant to be able to play this move without going on a
ramble with the Q,N first.
15 P-B4 KP x P 16 B x P P-KN4 17 B-Q,2 P-B5 18 P-N3
White must try this to avoid being completely squashed with . . . N-K4.
18 . . . KBP x P 19 R x R ch N x R 20 RP x P N-N3 21 N-Q,3
B-B3 22 K-IU Q,-K2 23 P x P NP x P 24 Q,-RI ?
Ugly and bad ; 24 Q;-B I was better though White is i n difficulties in
any case.
24 . . . N-K4 25 Nx N B x N 26 R-KBI B-Q,2 27 Q,-N2 ? P-N51
28 K-RI
1 14
TM CQ.Cia BtrUnIi
To prevent
..
!C"1l5 ch
the only move to save White, but he did not see the ensuing
combination.
..
R-R8 cia X-Ba N-X5 cbI and White reUpecl since 43 B X N
7 Ch 44 It-Itl !C"BS ch leads to mate.
.
1 16
4 N-Q,B3 P--Q.3
5 P-K4 P-KN3
2 P'-QBof P-Bof
3 P-Q5 P-Kf
of N-QB3 P-Q3
This hybrid variation is a cross between the Czech Benoni and the
King's Indian, and many of the characteristics of both the-se openings
are apparent in the further play. White must choose whether to treat
the line as a King's Indian, and allow Black to transpose into that
opening, or whether to meet it by more direct methods. The former plan
is attractive, since completely Closing the centre with , P-K4 and
P-B4 is often faulty in the King's Indian and it may be expected
that White should be able to profit from this by steering the game
into channels unfavourable to Black. Indeed, one of White's most
promising continuations is to play 6 B-K2 B-N2 7 N-BS 0-0 8 B
N5 which leads into a variation of Petrosian's system against the King's
Indian considered better for White. Other lines leading to the King's
Indian also fall outside the scope of this book and we discuss below
. .
. .
I I7
. .
. . .
. . .
P-KR4 P-KR4
(Also possible is
P-B4
P xP
8 BxP
0--0
P-K5
u8
(d)
PxP
10
B xP
6 B-K2 N-R3 ! ?
which continued 9 B X B. R X B
N-B2
13 P-B3 P-R3
10
<C-Q.2 R-RI
1 1 N-R3 B X N
12 R X B
of
. . . N-Q.2
(after 7
...
p XP
and can soon play P-K5 in better circumstances than in line (b) above)
8 N-B3 B-N2 9 0-0 N-B 1 0 K-RI Q-K2 I I P-B5 with a clear
advantage for White.
(e) 6 P-B3
This line shows one of the more interesting aspects of the King's Indian
Benoni ; here White is attempting to play a Samisch variation against
a King's Indian which would be very good with Black having played
.
P-Q.B4 and . . . P-K4. However, here Black need not comply with White's
7 P-KNS
(7
(f)
6 P-KRg B-N2
I 19
7 P-KN4
1 20
Badestein, Leipzig
6 . . . N-R3!
with the idea of delaying castling until Black's queen's side play is
more under way. Naturally, leaving the king in the centre can be very
dangerous, but it seems that Black can get away with this and secure
equal chances if he is careful. For example : 7 0--0
N-B2 8 P-Q.14
I I B-KB4 was played
(8 R-K I 0-0
121
3 P K.f P Q,3
This line has some features in common with the Czech Benoni and the
King's Indian Benoni discussed earlier, into either of which it may easily
transpose if White plays
P-QB4.
which White refrains from this move. The line is not completely satis
factory for Black because White has a very fine outpost at
QB4
from
where a knight will bear down on the weak points in the Black position.
It is an amusing piece of chess history that Alekhine referred to his
adoption of this variation as one of his chess sins ; his successes with it
caused it to become quite popular, and he felt an apology to be due
for bringing a poor opening to the notice of the chess-playing public.
Let us examine some of the possibilities from diagram
88 :
P-B41 (5 N-B3 B-N2 6 B-K2 N-K2 7 N
Q2 N-R3 8 N-B4 N-B2 9 P-QR4 0-0 1 0 0-0 P-N3 I I B-K3 B-QR3
1 2 N-R3 B X B 1 3 Q X B P-R4, Rossetto-Schmid, Havana 1 967, is not
bad for Black) 5
P x P (5 . . . B-N2 6 p X P B X P 7 N-B3 B-N5
8 B-N5 ch K-B I 9 0-0 , Botvinnik-Calvo, Palma 1 967) 6 B x P
B-N2 (or 6 . . . N-KB3 7 N-B3 N-R4 8 B-KN5 B-K2 9 B-KR6 B-N5
1 0 B-K2 B-Q2 I I p-K5 ! P X P 1 2 p-Q6 ! with a great advantage for
White, Visier-Larsen, Palma 1 968) 7 N-B3 N-KB3 8 B-NS eh
B-Q2 9 B-Q3 , Portisch-Litmanowicz, Budapest 1 957.
(b) 4 N-QB3 P-QR31 5 P-QR4 P-KN3 6 P-14 (6 P-B4 p X P
7 n x BP B-N2 8 N-B3 N-KB3 9 B-K2 N-R4 now only gives equality
( a ) 4 N-QB3 P-KN3
. . .
10 P-aS 8-aS
.B-JU
10
P-aS
with some
1 P-Q.4
P-Q.B4
the
N-R3,
P-Q.B4.
P-Q.Bo4 P-Bo4? is premature.
The game Rossetto-Schmid l 942, continued 5 P X P B X P 6 B-Q.3
B X B 7 Q. X B B-K2 8 N-Q.B3 N-R3 9 N-R3 ! with advantage to White.
(c) 2 . . . P-Q.3 S P-Kf P-KNS 4 P-KB4 B-N2 5 N-KBS is
not effective for White : 5 . . . P-KSl 6 p X P (6 B-N5 ch .B-Q.2 7 B X B
this line by adopting one of the Semi-Benoni variations without
123
. . .
...
PETROSIAN-Schmid 56
POLUGAIEVSKY-Stein 1 04
POPOV-Spassov 86
PORTISCH-Larsen 90
RADEV-Kirov 99, Padevsky 84
RESHEVSKY-Quinleros 1 1 2
RUBINETTI-Garcia 5 1
SOOS-Matu lovic 5 1
SPASSKY-Fischer 8 5 . -Ghitescu 104,
-Savon 8B
STETSKO-Bangiyev B2
SZABO-Perez 34
TOTH-Matulovic 87
UFI MTSEV-Tal 47
UHLMANN-Padevsky 35
VAGANIAN-TaI 89
ZIN SER-Evans 50
Index of Variations
I.
THE
I P-Q.4 N-KB3
4 N-Q.B3 P x P
A.
II
MODERN BENONI
2 P-Q.B4 P-B4
S P x P P-Q.3
3 P-Q.S P-K3
B.
13
16
17
18
20
N-B4 0-0
. .
c.
Uhlmann's Line
6 N-B3 P-KN3 7 n-NS
(i) 7 ' " P-KR3
(ii) 7 . . . B-N2
(a) 8 N-Q.2
(b) 8 P-K3
(c) (i) 8 P-K4 0-0
(c) (ii) 8 P-K4 P-Q.R3
(c) (iii) 8 P-K4 P-KR3 !
D.
8 B-K2 0-0
38
41
1 26
Index of Variatiorts
41
(i) I Q Q,-B2
(ii) I Q N-Q,2 N-R3
(a) I I R-K I
(b) I I P-B4
(c) 1 1 P-B3 !
E.
F.
G.
44
47
48
51
56
57
58
61
63
64
65
66
8 KX-K2 0-0
Other Systems
(i) 6 N-B3 P-KN3 7 B-B4
(ii) 6 P-K4 P-KN3 7 B-KB4
(iii) 6 P-K4 P-'KN3 7 B-Q.3 B-X2 8 x-B3
(iv) 6 P-K4 P-KN3 7 P-B3 B-N2 8 B-KN5
(v) 6 P-K4 P-KN3 7 B-K2 B-N2 8 P-Kx4 ? !
56
67
69
70
72
73
73
75
76
77
77
79
80
81
lruiex ( Variations
CZECH BEKONI
93
A. White develops his bishop on K2 and knight on KB3 97
8. White develops his bishop on Q.3 and knight on KB3 100
c. White fianchettoes his King's bishop
104
D. White develops his bishop on Q.3 and knight on K2 108
E. White devlops his knight on KN3
109
F. Other Plans
11I
Ppt
III
. THE
3.
Schmid's System
1 15
1 16
1 19
I P4 84 2 P5 P--K4
(iv) Odds and Ends
P-'K4
1!Z2
127