Chess Openings- Benoni Defense

The Benoni Defense is a very aggressive opening that white can play against white's initial 1. d4. Against the very common opening from white of d4 a player must have multiple things that he can throw at white to give him a good chance to win. In this video we take a look at the Modern Benoni which is one of the more sound variations of the Benoni Defense and some of the key concepts you should look at while you are playing both as white and as black.
Make sure to check out more great chess content at: www.thechesswebsite.com

[@Ojokernegro]

You've taught me the Caro-kann defence, and now you're teaching me the benoni defence...shit, I owe you man.

[@randomdr2972]

What else have you learned during 10 years?

[@artfuldodger5698]

Damn. Ten years.

[@henri__986]

Yeah I am interested too. It has been 11 years.

[@t-t2459]

Imagine playing for 10 years spending 2-3 hours a day on chess and playing on tournaments. You would probably be NM or FM level

[@freddym223]

this is good ! this is very good. i played the modern benoni by accident tonight against a player rated 2040 and won without knowing what this opening was or what the hell i was doing,and won . i'm only 1650 at the moment . thx to you i'm going to really study this opening . this suits my style and i've subscribed .

[@chesswebsite]

thanks for the feedback. glad you enjoyed.

[@chesswebsite]

Thanks for checking it out and glad you enjoyed.

[@chesswebsite]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the feedback.

[@dougagne7102]

you know you dont have to wright "thanks for support/feedback/enjoyed" like 1000 thousand times xD

[@miraeanda]

good vid. I personaly like to use the budapest gambit against the queens gambit but this is also a good option. To finish I want to thank you for all your vids, I really learn a lot thanks to them.

[@chesswebsite]

Jeremy Camp- There will be a day

[@martinvasak1901]

I love lessons, when "teacher" shows the other possibility, not just the main line. Sometimes my opponent beat me because he did no play main line and I'm not sure what to do about it. :D Thank you :)

[@sakuragi_hanamichi3263]

Use your head Martin

[@PRIMB69]

Yeah,they show main line and u study the other lines😊

[@byronkenoly]

this channel is legendary

[@Raminator243]

cool opening; might try it myself :)

[@phoenixshade3]

@Suplexmaschine 8.e5!? is the Mikenas variation. After 8 ... Nfd7 9.Ne4 dxe5 10.Nd6+ Ke7 11.Nxc8 Qxc8 and play will often revolve around White's isolated queen's pawn.

[@felixfryxell7529]

Benko Gambit video brought me here. Please include this video in Chess Openings playlist.

[@AtulShetty]

Thanks for posting - i usually play the benoni - and thought that i may be playing Kan sicilian - but i see the similarities that probably got me confused... Would you be able to post something on when not to play the benoni, i tend to play it nearly everytime and sometimes i get caught :P Thanks again !!

[@chesswebsite]

@Sheendude it's coming

[@dkscotland]

e5 (Mikenas variation) has its dangers but with accurate play black is OK. Bb5+ (Taimanov) is the harder to face, with white developing a few more pieces before playing the still almost unstopable e5. Not sure what the curent view is but in the 90s it was close to being the refutation of entering the Modern Benoni via 2 ... c5. The clasical lines are fun to play so imo delay c5 and hope for 2 ... e6 3 Nf3 c5 4 d5, playing the Nimzo v 3 Nc3 or something hedgehogy if 3 Nf3 but no d5 advance.

[@MechanixPL]

Another great video. Thank you.

[@ChessdumyTV]

IMO contrary to popular belief, the flick-knife attack is a second-rate option against the Modern Benoni (Really the best move is Nf3). White probably still maintains a slight advantage, but it's a weakening and a risky reply for white. The e4 pawn is easier to attack since white has no f3, and it wastes a bit of time not developing. I always considered it equalizing and comfortable (Not necessarily) for black!

[@Sheendude]

Great video! What about the old Benoni Defense?

[@nicorap74]

It is pretty useful to me, i have books but with video tutorial it is much more easier. thanks.

[@seb4aces]

whats the song we hear in the intro? Thanks for your videos, all very helpful

[@blits4000]

HEEY! I prefer wide open games, so I like this for black! Its a nice defence, I'm gonna try it out. Keep making the awesome videos, I love how they're so recent and new, you rock :D

[@joeb4142]

Hey I transported in a time capsule and just wanted to tell you that the future wishes you well!

[@mrchoon2010]

These where fairly new videos when I first took up chess

[@TheSimple1z]

From a very novice position I asked myself during the video "why is the white bishop a good trade being that inevitably in the end game color of bishop has no relevance to kings? Is it early protection of the A to H line white is established? And Thank you , the video was amazingly instructive and I've subscribed...😊🎶🎵🎶

[@Happy0]

Thank you, I enjoyed this video :)

[@evanlomioan]

Kevin I really like your videos. Just wondering, what's your rating?

[@lethoh1537]

300

[@Xander1485]

Thanks!, the video is really useful

[@ThaMisfitKid]

Hey, Kevin. I am a big fan of your videos and had a quick question for you. I was simply wondering why white moves pawn to f4. I feel like a good player might play bishop to c4 instead. Not only does it develope whites bishop, but it also adds another defender to that powerful pawn on d5. While pawn to f4 does add some more centric control of the board, white now is lacking of a well defended side to castle on. Just think it would be a much more interesting game if the bishop was played.

[@Andratos95]

9 years late, but... Did you figure that out eventually?

[@wepopalot]

Great video! Thanks

[@chesswebsite]

Thanks as always.

[@suncu91]

what if white plqys d5 after all the pieces are set as on the video?

[@albertdiones]

I've read an old book about benoni when I was young and used it ever since... somethings I can't get somehow got cleared up in this video, like the c5 after d4... by the way, can you please tell me what's the best thing/opponent to do when your white opponent opens e4 as first move? I mean the knight on my f6 always get in an awkward situation when he goes to e5 later

[@feelzthedon994]

What about the Clarendon Court?

[@phoenixshade3]

@HegazyInTheHouse If Black plays 4...Qa5, White responds with 5.Bd2, leaving the black queen susceptible to a discovered attack if White moves the knight.

[@paulc7400]

So if they don't play pawn to c4 its not benoni defense right? What do then?

[@Dragonite43]

A friend used the old benoni defense against me when I used Queen's gambit. When he did that I played my e2 pawn to e3 in reponse. I was wondering if this was a sound move?

[@poprockssuck87]

Sometimes I play the benoni, but only through transposition from the nimzo-indian if my opponent plays 3. a3. I think it's better for black that way because white loses a tempo and I think the pawn would rather be on a4 to stop black eventual queenside expansion. Then again, I'm sure the line is okay.

[@ernestmoney7252]

"The Benoni Defense is a very aggressive opening that white can play against white's initial 1. d4." That *black* can play,

[@turkiyett0928]

2. C5 second varition for old benoni its alternate varition if White King's pawn Petrov defence Best varition

[@maxisbird7033]

"a defense that white can play against white's initial d4" LOL rewrite the description

[@marsharupe8112]

Only if you pay him $1

[@theaccordian9377]

It's been 6 years man.

[@-petrichor-7263]

A defense black can play against white’s initial d4.

[@Kneem]

A defense white can play against blacks initial d4

[@egads3696]

Hate that yours is the top comment.

[@sampleoffers1978]

Cool iceberg dawgz

[@DaPharaoh13]

i like ur works alot,

[@blindsey1076]

Thank you Sir, just opted to play a version of this out of a Pirc/KID to take White out of his comfort zone. Learn much from your videos - be blessed.

[@chesswebsite]

haha i love the creative comment

[@C0BHC11]

what is the name of the song used at the intro?

[@mabby77zani]

What is the name of that song at the beginnin of the video?

[@Suplexmaschine]

8:33 a Question: What will i play when white plays Pon e4 -> e5 ?

[@wiselonewolfkol512]

1:30 can't white simple a5+ and take the pawn? or is it bad because of your development?i dont think it's a bad square for the queen

[@razz526]

The queen can't move to a5 - that's the diagonal of White's King.

[@Yonnu1992]

But after you move your black bishop to g7 white can come to e5!What should I do next?

[@MyBeachRock]

@Yonnu1992 if white does e5, black does...PXP, white does PXP, then black does Ng4 and now white has lost a material and the center

[@Aleneden]

@C0BHC11 "There will be a day" by Jermey Camp.

[@HegazyInTheHouse]

at 5:00, why not just move Qa5? If b4, then take with your pawn on c5, threatening the knight, and weakening white's position.

[@MrDevecka]

tell me pls why white cant at 8:12 after bishop g7 move the e pawn to e5? wouldnt that be a strong position for white?

[@mihaistefan9785]

It is a variation but not the main one.

[@ChessdumyTV]

+Michal Devecka Black gains equality (if not an advantage, actually) after 8... Nfd7 9. exd6 O-O (Temporarily sacrificing a pawn) 10. Nf3 Nf6 in which black will recover the pawn back via Qxd6 at some point, and white's king is exposed. Black already has all the counterplay he wants (Open e file with the king exposed, potential to expand on the queenside with a6 b5 etc, and strong grip on the dark squares).

[@andrewmitchell4120]

I hope this works!

[@XerxesGammon200]

Benoni i thought starts with d4 then c5. Does the order of the moves matter?

[@decepticonsofnwo]

d4-c5 is the classical variation I believe?? Knf6 followed by c5 is the modern variation

[@TheUniverseExists]

roberto baggio Well, the modern variation starts with Nf6, which then you transpose into the Benoni. The problem with starting with c5, is that white immediately notices that black is playing the Benoni and can avoid playing c4. By starting with Nf6, white is more likely to play c4.

[@tuntstunt]

what about the czech benoni???

[@coclock12345]

after dxc5, black plays Qa5+, and then captures c5

[@vyle379]

i just used this twice. and checkmated this first game in 12 moves and the second took his queen in 5 moves so he resigned LOL

[@erdenebaatardolgorsuren5805]

Intro song?

[@hraesvelgML]

@PaladinswordSaurfang My thoughts exactly. White is definitely in a better position. Also, even if white captures and black recaptures at 4:00, he has weakened his kingside.

[@barragehat]

does anyone know the winpercentage for this opening?

[@shrekeyes2410]

Im here 13 years later to tell you that it is VERY high for black, around 70%.

[@HungryScribbler]

Looking for something against D4 is this a defense for Black??? I'm confused.

[@anonsensename5101]

DadWithAPen yes. All openings with the "defence" suffix are decided by Black

[@sacthus]

i played this against my opponent and he abandoned the game after 9 moves

[@fabian2111]

just lost otb to this as white but this was helpful

[@poprockssuck87]

Are you talking about the queen's indian defense?

[@StruckDownByThunder]

@MrAlcoholic11 A lot of people actually..

[@cococrispys]

SIT DOWN!!!

[@lewistricker8058]

First time I've heard fianchetto pronounced like that. In Italian the ch is pronounced like a k in English...sorry to be picky, but us chess players are a meticulous bunch :-)

[@chesswebsite]

You are right. This is one of my older videos and I did not know it at the time. Any new openings I pronounce it correctly. I appreciate the feedback and am thankful for you trying to help me improve without being a jerk.

[@jamestapiajt]

Take a shot every time Kevin says um.

[@codm9922]

Someone defeated me using this in a tournament

[@coreyblankenship3234]

3:20 isn't that a poison pawn?

[@coreyblankenship3234]

+Corey Blankenship Never mind, the knight is still there and I was slow.

[@gerardmartin4718]

white has many advantages against this precarious looking opening . i wouldnt even use the benoni against stevie wonder

[@chessfanatic5905]

if anyone is interested in learning some aggressive, and somewhat strange sidelines to learn as white against the modern Benoni, come check out a video on my channel where I go in depth into some of the lines.

[@sanitary103]

I definitely will come check it out. some dude just played it vs me and I got crushed not knowing what to do.

[@timolianischtimo9305]

you're at 68 dislikes, I liked the video not sure what to do tho

[@xakin6261]

the bodern meboni

[@MagoMinelli]

d6 pawn weekness AND a white passed pawn... I don't really like this defense =/ I'll go with the grunfeld :D

[@xxgamerxx40]

what if my friends are stupid and do all dumb moves?

[@attention_shopping]

@seb4aces Jeremy Camp - There Will Be A Day

[@JAYLOVE47]

The problem with these traps is.... you don't know what move your opponent is going to make! They can make moves that'll prevent you from setting the trap so what's the point of thisZ!

[@rv706]

The "ch" in "fianchetto" is pronounced "k"!!!

[@chesswebsite]

Yeah that's my bad. One of my old videos and I didn't realize at the time.

[@rv706]

@@chesswebsite: I make this nitpicking in 'every' chess channel😄

[@dmaster20ify]

Kevin this is simply not a very informative video. You said an aggressive opening against d4 but you yet have to show how. But you are giving your services so I must still give you your dues.

[@dofodamofo]

That bishop on g7 is worth a queen... attack the queen side and you will have a nice game

[@tanerdincer6584]

Hey dude i think 15 seconds for an intro is too much. If you shorten that a little bit, it would be perfect.

[@RobKandell]

Tuning the guitar would also be a plus.

[@concars1234]

@@RobKandell guitar?

[@RobKandell]

@@concars1234 - That Intro changed. It’s also in tune. Apparently he reads the comments.

[@concars1234]

@@RobKandell idk bro next you'll tell me it used to be the berenstein bears

[@RobKandell]

@@concars1234 - LOL. Leonard Berenstein Bears.

[@gflong2010]

I love you man! Thanks.

[@dineshfernando2793]

anyone here in 2024

[@mefunnyknow]

see my channel then you will see me going against GM's !

[@robobrain10000]

2nd comment

[@ToBMaNTH316th]

See see, a true Master who boasts challenges on a video made for beginners. :P

[@AakashKumar-gl2fk]

Not a good defense, scillian is best defense

[@EEEBA1]

Even when they play 1d4? Thank you

[@_randomyoutubeuser]

what a dumb take

[@KahHongTan]

so what? challenge declined. i dont dare, so what? if 1 of us beat u then u lost to a ''weak'' player.

[@blackmorecatchtherainbow9677]

Tf?

[@PaladinswordSaurfang]

umm... isnt white winning? the benoni defense sucks...