How to Play the Benoni Defense, Old Schmid Variation
- 1. d4 c5: White opens with the queen’s pawn, aiming to control the center and prepare for piece development. Black responds with a symmetrical move, attacking the center and activating their queen’s pawn.
- 2. d5: White advances their queen’s pawn, gaining space in the center and limiting Black’s options.
- 2…d6: Black responds by advancing their queen’s pawn one square, supporting their c5 pawn, and preparing for the development of their minor pieces.
- 3. Nc3: White develops their knight to the center, increasing control over the center and preparing for kingside castling.
- 3…g6: Black prepares to fianchetto their king’s bishop, aiming to control central squares on the “long diagonal” and prepare for long kingside castling.
Variations of the Benoni Defense, Old Schmid Variation
1. d4 Nf6
In this variation, Black prefers to develop the knight before deciding the fate of the queen’s pawn, maintaining a flexible structure and waiting to see how White occupies the center.
1…e6
By preparing a counterattack in the center with …d5, Black aims for a solid pawn structure and rapid development of their minor pieces towards the center.