Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation

Before the first move

Welcome to the Taimanov Variation of the Benoni Defense. This is one of the most aggressive ways for White to meet the Benoni, building a massive pawn center with f4 to crush Black's position. As Black, you must play with extreme precision to survive the initial onslaught and prove that White's center is overextended.

1. d4White

White starts with d4, the most common alternative to e4. This leads to more strategic, closed games compared to the open king's pawn openings. You have many ways to respond, but the most flexible and popular is developing your knight.

1... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This is the most flexible response to d4, preventing White from immediately occupying the center with e4. You keep your options open for several different defensive setups.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White

White plays c4, the standard follow-up to d4. This creates a powerful duo of pawns that controls the center and prepares for a variety of systems. While moves like Nf3 or Bf4 are common, c4 is the most ambitious try for an advantage.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... c5Black · your move

Challenge the center immediately with c5. This is the Benoni invitation. You are offering a trade to open lines for your pieces, or inviting White to push forward, which creates a dynamic, unbalanced struggle.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. d5White

White plays d5, the most principled response. By bypassing the pawn on c5, White gains a space advantage and forces you to find a way to break down this central wedge. Alternatives like Nf3 or e3 lead to much quieter, symmetrical positions.

Other paths here: Nf3 (English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation) · e3 (Benoni: 2...c5 3.e3) · dxc5 (Benoni: 3.dxc5)

3... e6Black · your move

Strike at the head of the pawn chain with e6. You need to undermine White's d5 pawn before it becomes a permanent fixture. This move prepares to open the e-file and develops your kingside.

Other paths here: e5 (Benoni Defense: Czech Benoni Defense) · d6 (Benoni Defense: Hromádka System) · a6 (Benoni: 3.d5 a6) · g6 (Benoni: 3.d5 g6)

4. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, developing a piece and adding support to the center. This is the most common move, though White can also choose the Fianchetto Variation with g3 or the slower Nf3 to keep you guessing about their setup.

Other paths here: g3 (Benoni: 4.g3) · Nf3 (Benoni: 4.Nf3)

4... exd5Black · your move

Capture the pawn on d5. This trade is essential to open the e-file and create the typical Benoni pawn structure. You are clearing the way for your pieces to find active squares in the center.

5. cxd5White

White recaptures cxd5, maintaining the space advantage. Recapturing with the knight is a rare alternative that usually allows you to equalize easily after d6. Now, the central tension is established, and the real battle begins.

Other paths here: Nxd5 (Benoni: 4.Nc3 exd5 5.Nxd5)

5... d6Black · your move

Solidify your center with d6. This move stops White from pushing their pawn further and prepares to develop your light-squared bishop. It is a vital defensive move that anchors your entire position.

Other paths here: Bd6 (Benoni Defense: Modern Variation, Snake Variation) · g6 (Benoni: 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 g6)

6. e4White

White plays e4, completing the ideal pawn center. You now face a formidable wall of pawns. White's plan is to use this space to squeeze you, while you must look for counterplay on the dark squares and the queenside.

Other paths here: Nf3 (Benoni: 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3)

6... g6Black · your move

Prepare to fianchetto your bishop by moving g6. This is the soul of the Benoni. Your bishop on g7 will be your strongest piece, exerting long-range pressure across the entire board.

Other paths here: Be7 (Benoni: 6.e4 Be7)

7. f4White

White plays f4, the most aggressive setup available. This is the Four Pawns Attack. White is threatening a massive central breakthrough. You must be very careful, as the more solid Classical Variation with Nf3 is much quieter than this.

Other paths here: Bd3 (Benoni: 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3) · Bf4 (Benoni: 6.e4 g6 7.Bf4) · h3 (Benoni: 6.e4 g6 7.h3) · f3 (Benoni: Saemisch (6.e4 g6 7.f3))

7... Bg7Black · your move

Fianchetto your bishop to g7. From this square, your bishop breathes fire down the long diagonal, eyeing the d4 and b2 squares. It is your primary defender and your most potent attacking weapon.

8. Bb5+White

White plays Bb5+, a stinging check that forces an immediate response. This is more forcing than Nf3 or e5. You must choose between Nfd7, which is the most solid, or the more tactical Nbd7, deciding how to reorganize your defense.

Other paths here: e5 (Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation) · Nf3 (Benoni: Four Pawns, 8.Nf3)

Where you stand

The position is on a knife-edge. White has a massive pawn center and immediate attacking prospects, but if the attack stalls, those pawns can become targets. Black must defend the check accurately—usually with Nfd7—and then focus on rapid development and queenside expansion to prove that White's center is a liability rather than an asset.

• f6-d7 Block the check and prepare development
• e4-e5 Blast open the center with e5
• b8-a6 Develop knight to support queenside play
• g1-f3 Develop knight to support the center