Chess for Newbies : Asymmetric Benoni

The Asymmetric Benoni structure, usually called simply the Benoni, is a very tactical pawn structure that requires great precision from both sides. It typically arises from various Benoni openings, though it also appears in many variations of the Ruy Lopez. The main theme in this structure is the fight between pawn majorities. White has a pawn majority in the center while Black has his majority on the queen side. The side that manages to push his majority will generally achieve a superior position, and all plans gravitate around this fact. White enjoys some spatial advantage, therefore trading pieces will often work against him. In fact, as pieces are traded, Black's position often becomes better. The reason is that Black has the potential for creating a remote passed pawn, which can be very strong in an endgame. In contrast, White's chances are at their best in a middlegame with many pieces still on the board, since the central majority often provides him with good chances for a mating attack. Now let's spell out specific plans for each side.

White's plans :

1. Break in the centre with e4-e5, either to obtain an attack, or to create a central passed pawn.

2. Break with e4-e5 followed by f4-f5 in order to obtain a kingside attack.

3. Break with f4-f5 followed by a kingside attack, mainly down the f-file. 4. Prevent Black'squeenside expansion by playing b2-b4, blocking the advance ... b5-b4.

Black's plans :

1. Advance the queenside majority with ... b7-b5, ... c5-c4, ... b5-b4, etc. Create a passed pawn if possible.

2. Pressure down the e-file, preventing White from advancing his central majority.

3. Create king side counterplay based on ... h7-h5-h4, mainly when White has placed a knight on g3.

4. Break White's centre with ... f7-f5. This break can work wonderfully after White has played f3-f4, since the d5-pawn loses protection.

As we will see later in this chapter, Black's light squared bishop is often the least helpful piece, as it does not contribute to the advance of the majority, and it is often blocked by the queen side pawns on a6-b5-c4. The first three games in this chapter illustrate White's Plans l, 2 and 3 respectively. Then we use a short fragment to discuss Black's piece arrangement, and at the same time present White's Plan 4. Then the last two examples display a combination of Black's Plans 1 and 4.