ForumPosition SearchText SearchMy ProfileRepertoireSite InfoGuests InfoHelpLinks
In this month’s update we focus on the Fianchetto Variation of the Modern Benoni Defence. Even though the Fianchetto Variation isn’t the most challenging option against the Modern Benoni, it remains an important and topical subject because it’s often reached via more popular move orders than the traditional Modern Benoni.
In particular, many Catalan players employ the move order 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3, which has the advantage of avoiding the Queen’s Indian. Against 3 g3, Black could of course reach the Catalan with 3...d5. However, transposing to one of the less critical Modern Benoni lines with 3...c5 also has some appeal. It’s quite revealing that all the games in this update came from the move order 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 c5.

Download PGN of May ’25 Nimzo and Benoni games

>> Previous Update >>


Modern Benoni 6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 Re8 [A62]

6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 Re8 10 Bf4 Bf5 11 Nh4 Bg4:

Over the past few years, 9...Re8 10 Bf4 Bf5 has become a key line in the Fianchetto Benoni, and its popularity shows no sign of declining. After 11 Nh4, the bishop may retreat with 11...Bc8, but it’s noticeable that 11...Bg4 has scored well for Black. As we’ve seen previously, 12 h3 is well met by 12...Nh5!. Here we’ll look at two other options for White.

a) 12 Qd2 is recognised to be a challenging move, and here 12...b5! remains Black’s best chance of counterplay and has scored well. After 13 Nxb5 Rxe2 14 Qc1 Ne4! 15 Bxe4! Rxe4 16 Nxd6 Re7!:

the position remains very sharp and critical for both sides - see Manko, M - Krastev, A for analysis.

b) 12 Re1 has been much less popular than 12 Qd2 and 12 h3 but has scored well for White in the handful of games. 12...Nh5 13 Bd2 Na6! looks like a decent response by Black - see Makhnev, D - Flores Quillas, D for details.

6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 Re8 10 Re1:

Ding Liren, amongst others, has favoured this rook move which supports the e4 advance. The main line is 10...a6 11 a4 Nbd7. However, as is the case in numerous Benoni lines, there’s an argument for delaying ...a6, and here we take a look at two recent games with 10...Nbd7.

a) 11 Bf4 Ng4! is a key idea, as it turns out that Black doesn’t have to defend the d6-pawn. In the game Jin, Y - Chen, H, Black met 12 Bg5 with 12...Qb6!?:

The queen doesn’t usually like being in front of the b-pawn on b6, but this is a concrete line which looks okay for Black.

b) 11 h3 a6 12 a4 transposes to a line we’ve considered before, and here 12...Ne4! is a logical response. After 13 Nxe4 Rxe4 14 Nd2, with the pawn already on a4, 14...Rb4! becomes an appealing option for Black, who has decent counterplay here:

See the notes to the recent game Atwell, R - Burke, J.


Modern Benoni 6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 a6 10 a4 Nbd7 [A63]

6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 a6 10 a4 Nbd7 11 Bf4!:

In recent years it’s been established that 11 Bf4! is more challenging than the old main line with 11 Nd2, and because of this most players with Black prefer 9...Re8 to 9...a6. In the recent game Fier, A - Kanov, N, White met 11...Qc7 with the direct 12 e4 and later won with a typical breakthrough pawn sacrifice in the centre:

12...Ng4 13 Nd2 Nge5 14 Be3 Rb8 15 f4! Nd3 16 e5!

However, all is not lost for Black. The notes demonstrate how Black can improve earlier on and reach a playable position.


Modern Benoni 6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 Na6 [A62]

6 Nf3 g6 7 g3 Bg7 8 Bg2 0-0 9 0-0 Na6:

9...Na6 has never enjoyed the same popularity as ideas 9...Re8 and 9...a6 10 a4 Nbd7. However, it did receive a shot in the arm when it was discovered that the previously disreputable line 10 Nd2 Nc7 11 Nc4 b5! is fully playable for Black.

A recent game continued instead with the typical 10 h3 Re8 11 Re1 Nc7 12 e4! Nd7 13 Bf4:

White has certainly achieved his aim with 10 h3 and has a clear edge here. However, somewhere in that sequence there’s a rare move for Black and considerable improvement, one that promises Black level chances - see the notes to Yeganegi, B - Pap, M for full details.


Till next time, John

>> Previous Update >>

Feel free to share your ideas and opinions on the Forum (the link above on the right), while subscribers with any questions can email me at JohnEmms@ChessPublishing.com.