Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Nd2 Re8. White: pawn on d5, pawn on a4, knight on c3, pawn on g3, pawn on b2, knight on d2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on e8, king on g8, pawn on b7, knight on d7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on a6, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on g6, pawn on c5.
Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Nd2 Re8. It is classified A64 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white 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 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Nd2 Re8.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line?
The Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Nd2 Re8. It is classified A64 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: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Nd2 Re8. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line good for beginners?
Aggressive players who need to win with Black and accept theoretical risk to do it.