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Date: 07 Jun 2006 13:47:45
From: mike
Subject: Pawn Power - Benoni Formation
In his book Pawn Power in chess, Kmoch analyzes the game Sherwin -
Reshevsky, New York 1953, in the section on Benoni formations (although this
particular game is a KID).

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.Be3 e5 7.d5

Kmoch writes: "7...c5 transposes unfavorably to a Benoni Major. See
Szabo - Ivkov."

Does Kmoch mean that all Benoni Majors are unfavorable for Black, or just
this particular position?

In the game Szabo - Ivkov, after: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 e5
6.d5 c5

Kmoch writes: Black has a number of methods of meeting White's attack within
the Rex Benoni formation, but none is presently considered fully
satisfactory. Hence, Black tries to alter the formation to a Benoni Major.
However, the switch works adversely as Black is exposed to lever action on
either wing.

This statement would seem to imply that the Benoni Major in general is bad
for Black as White has too many options for counterplay.

However, in the game Reshevsky - Gligoric, 1952, after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Re1 c6 9.Bf1 Re8 10.d5 c5

Kmoch writes: Another delayed transposition from the Rex Benoni to the
Benoni Major. White's type of development requires action with b4, and
counter-action with ...f5. Action the other way around (f4, ...b5) is
precluded for the time being. The chances are roughly equal, White has only
a shade of an edge.

This would seem to imply that Black can find himself in favorable Benoni
Major formations.

So my questions are: Is the Benoni Major formation always bad for Black
according to Kmoch? If it is sometimes good, sometimes bad, then how do you
make that determination?

Please understand I am not looking for any universal truths. I understand
all things are relative, and all of these lines are more-or-less playable,
and there are exceptions to every rule, etc. I'm just trying to understand
what Kmoch is trying to say.

Thanks






 
Date: 18 Jun 2006 21:08:49
From:
Subject: Re: Pawn Power - Benoni Formation
As white I never play d5 thus avoiding all Benoni matters. I like the
WB developed at g2, too.

Old Haasie



  
Date: 19 Jun 2006 03:43:52
From: Ray Gordon
Subject: Re: Pawn Power - Benoni Formation
> As white I never play d5 thus avoiding all Benoni matters.

And colliding with many Symmetrical English matters.


--
"Google maintains the USENET." -- The Honorable R. Barclay Surrick, Eastern
District of PA Judge
From Parker v. Google, E.D.Pa. #04-cv-3918




 
Date: 08 Jun 2006 20:16:47
From:
Subject: Re: Pawn Power - Benoni Formation
One thing to note is that the Benoni Major has greater defensive
potential than the Rex, the Blitz, (or whatever the name of the others
is.) Also, the Rex and c-Pawn Benoni's can switch into the Major, but
not vice versa.



 
Date: 07 Jun 2006 19:54:32
From:
Subject: Re: Pawn Power - Benoni Formation

Kmoch means "in this particular position." Black must be able to get
some play so as not to be crushed spatially without White doing too
much special. The Rex Benoni and whatever the other ones are (blitz,
the one with ...c5 but not ...e5, etc.) offer more opportunities for
counterplay (and offer White more scope too.)

If Black has opportuinties for either ...f5 or ...b5 without too much
trouble, the resulting opening of lines favors Black. White sort of has
to work with b4 or f4 (attacking the Pawn Chain at the head, not the
base which is somewhat more effective) or White can launch an attack
with h4 and g4 (like in the King's Indian Saemisch) without distrubing
the center.



  
Date: 08 Jun 2006 13:49:52
From: mike
Subject: Re: Pawn Power - Benoni Formation

<[email protected] > wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Kmoch means "in this particular position."

I was afraid of that. Now I've got to start paying attention and working on
my evaluation ability to determine when these levers are playable/effective
or not.

It would be much easier if I could simply say, "Benoni Major = Bad for
Black"

Oh, well. I've been told that's what makes this game fun.

Thanks.