1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Modern Benoni
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6ECO A60–A79
Black accepts a cramped but dynamic structure with a queenside pawn majority and the long dark-squared diagonal for the bishop. Sharp and double-edged, it's a fighting choice: Black plays for …b5 and …f5 breaks and piece activity to offset White's central space.
Key ideas
- The pawns on c5/d6 versus White's d5 give Black a queenside majority and a fianchettoed bishop raking the long diagonal.
- Black's counterplay is …a6/…b5 (the Benko flavour) or …Re8 and …f5 against White's centre.
- White's big centre and e4–e5 break are the danger; precise move orders matter a lot here.
Who it suits
Aggressive players who want an unbalanced, winning-chances-both-ways defence to 1.d4.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Modern Benoni move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer