Benoni Defenxe, Taimanov Variation

GARRY KASPAROV vs. JOHN NUNN
Luzern olm, 1982

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e6
3. Nc3, c5
4. d5, exd5
5. cxd5, d6
6. e4, g6
7. f4, Bg7
8. Bb5+, N6d7

The most common reply is 8....Bd7.  Clearly the chosen move is an invitation to complication.

9. a4, Na6
10. Nf3, Nb4
11. 0-0, a6
12. Bxd7, Bxd7
13. f5!, 0-0
14. Bg5, f6
15. Bf4, gxf5?

Desperately grabbing a pawn, but Black only gets into a worse position.

16. Bxd6, Bxa4
17. Rxa4, Qxd6
18. Nh4!! ....

Preparing the Knight for a more powerful location....

18. .... fxe4
19. Nf5!, Qd7
20. Nxe4, Kh8
21. Nxc5, Resigns

White gains material after 21....Qxd5, 22. Qxd5 Nxd5, 23. Ne6, and at least a pawn to Rd4.

If 21....Qb5, then 22. Ne6 Rf7, 23. N5xg7 Rxg7, 24. Nxg7 Kxh7, 25. Qg4+ Kh8, 26. Rxb4 and White is a piece ahead.

Benoni Defense, Taimanov Variation

BORIS GULKO vs. VLADIMIR SAVON
Lvovzt, 1978

The Benoni Defense is a very aggressive opening that white can play against white's initial 1. d4. From this first move, Black must have multiple things that he can throw at white to give him a good chance to win

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, c5
3. d5 .....

The Benoni Defense.

3. .... e6
4. Nc3, exd5
5. cxd5, d6
6. e4, g6
7. f4, Bg7
8. Bb5+ ....

The Taimanov Variation of the Benoni.

8. .... Nfd7
9. a4, 0-0
10. Nf3, Na6
11. 0-0, Nc7
12. Bd3, a6
13. Qe1, Rb8
14. e5, Nb6
15. f5!, dxe5
16. fxg6, fxg6
17. Bg5, Qd6
18. Qh4, N7xd5
19. Rad1, c4
20. Nxd5, cxd3

If 20....Nxd5, then 21. Bxc4 with a good game for White.

21. Ne7+, Kh8
22. Nxe5, Bf5

If 22.....Qxe5, then 23. Nxg6 double-check.

23. Rxf5!! ....

White takes advantage of weakness at g6 square.

23. .... Bxe5

If 23.....gxf5 or Rxf5, then 24. N5xg6 and white wins.

24. Rxe5!! ....

A surprise move.  The Rook cannot be taken because of White's threat Nxg6 double-check.

24. .... Rf7

Black resigns anyway.  There is no defense against 25. Rxd3.  Black's Queen would leave the d6 square and White initiates a mating attack with Bf6+.