This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Opening Name: Benoni Defense: 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 g6
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 g6
Description: This variation of the Benoni Defense features Black fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop with ...g6 after White recaptures on d5. The move ...g6 aims to exert pressure on the long diagonal and supports a counterattack against White’s central pawns. Black’s play is dynamic, preparing to challenge White’s spatial advantage in the center with piece activity rather than immediate pawn confrontation.
Characteristic of ...g6: The move ...g6 is characteristic of the Modern Benoni setup, where Black accepts a somewhat cramped position in exchange for strong counterplay on the dark squares and along the long diagonal. It prepares to fianchetto the bishop to g7, which becomes a key piece in contesting White’s center.
Attacking or Defensive: As Black, this move is part of an attacking strategy aiming for counterplay and pressure on White’s center and queenside. White maintains a central space advantage and can adopt a more positional or attacking approach depending on the continuation.
Center Control: White holds a strong central presence with the d5 pawn, while Black challenges the center indirectly through piece pressure rather than occupying it immediately with pawns. Thus, this opening feature involves a contest over the center where White controls more space initially, and Black aims to undermine it.
You can also discover how top players used Benoni: 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 g6 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.