Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O. White: pawn on d5, pawn on e4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, bishop on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on g6, pawn on c5.
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O. It is classified A73 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Benoni meets 1.d4 with an immediate flank strike, usually reaching the Modern Benoni structure after 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6. Black takes a permanent structural concession in exchange for the half-open e-file and a queenside pawn majority.
Strategic character
Highly unbalanced. White has a protected passed pawn on d5 and a central space advantage, while Black plays for ...b5 and pressure down the long diagonal. Objectively risky, but it generates winning chances against opponents who play for a draw.
Who should play it
Aggressive players who need to win with Black and accept theoretical risk to do it.
This line is a variation within the Benoni Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line?
The Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O. It is classified A73 in the ECO system. The Benoni meets 1.d4 with an immediate flank strike, usually reaching the Modern Benoni structure after 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6. Black takes a permanent structural concession in exchange for the half-open e-file and a queenside pawn majority.
What are the moves of the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line good for beginners?
Aggressive players who need to win with Black and accept theoretical risk to do it.
What variations come from the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line?
Named continuations include Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line, Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Full Line. There are 3 named variations reachable from this position in total.