Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line, with Be3 position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f3 Bg7 8.Be3. White: pawn on d5, pawn on e4, knight on c3, bishop on e3, pawn on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, rook on h8, 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: King's Pawn Line, with Be3 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.f3 Bg7 8.Be3. It is classified A65 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.f3 Bg7 8.Be3.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line, with Be3?
The Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line, with Be3 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.f3 Bg7 8.Be3. It is classified A65 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: King's Pawn Line, with Be3?
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f3 Bg7 8.Be3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line, with Be3 good for beginners?
Aggressive players who need to win with Black and accept theoretical risk to do it.