ECO A67
Benoni Defense, Taimanov Variation
Also known as: Taimanov Variation
In the Taimanov Variation of the Modern Benoni, White answers 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 with 8.Bb5+. The check disrupts Black's development before the fianchetto bishop comes to life, and White's broad pawn centre backed by f4 has long been regarded as the most testing weapon against the Benoni.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bb5+
Strategic ideas
The Modern Benoni is defined by asymmetry: White commands a big centre with pawns on d5 and e4, while Black accepts a queenside pawn majority and the powerful g7-bishop aimed down the long diagonal. In the Taimanov, White adds f4 to gain space and prepare e5, hoping to overrun the position before Black organises counterplay.
The point of 8.Bb5+ is to interfere with Black's ideal setup. Whether Black interposes with ...Nfd7 or ...Bd7, the check costs a tempo and can misplace a piece, making it harder to arrange the thematic ...b5 break and ...Re8 pressure. Both sides play on opposite wings, and accurate handling of the centre versus flank counterplay decides the sharp resulting battles.
Main variations
After 8.Bb5+ Black must choose the interposition carefully. 8...Nfd7 keeps the light-squared bishop's development flexible but temporarily sidelines the knight, while 8...Bd7 offers a trade or invites Bxd7 followed by regrouping. In some lines the older 8...Nbd7 is possible, but the check is designed to make each reply slightly awkward.
Play then revolves around White's central expansion with a4, Nf3 and a well-timed e5, against Black's counterstrike with ...a6, ...b5 and rook pressure on the e-file via ...Re8. If White achieves e5 under favourable circumstances the initiative can be overwhelming, but if Black's queenside break lands first, the dynamic Benoni pieces spring to life.
History and background
The variation is named after the Soviet grandmaster Mark Taimanov, a leading player and noted theoretician who did much to establish this aggressive treatment as the critical antidote to the Modern Benoni. It remains one of the most theory-heavy and combative battlegrounds in the opening, respected by attacking players of both colours.
Key ideas
- White builds a broad d5/e4 centre reinforced by f4
- The 8.Bb5+ check disrupts Black's development and costs a tempo
- Meet the check accurately with ...Nfd7 or ...Bd7
- Black's counterplay flows from the ...b5 break and ...Re8 pressure
- White aims for a crushing e5 advance through the centre
- Opposite-wing play makes speed and precision decisive
Typical plans
White
- Support the centre and prepare the e5 breakthrough
- Insert 8.Bb5+ to disrupt Black's coordination
- Develop with Nf3 and castle, keeping the f4-pawn as a battering ram
- Play a4 to restrain Black's ...b5 counterplay
- Convert central space into a kingside or central initiative
Black
- Answer 8.Bb5+ precisely with ...Nfd7 or ...Bd7
- Arrange ...a6 and ...b5 to open the queenside
- Pressure e4 and the centre with ...Re8 along the e-file
- Activate the g7-bishop on the long diagonal
- Advance the queenside pawn majority for dynamic counterplay