Answer Bb5+ accurately
Choose the response to White's check with the resulting piece placement in mind. Black must preserve coordination and avoid blocking the queenside pieces unnecessarily.
Benoni Defence Taimanov Variation
Learn the Benoni Defence Taimanov Variation from Black's point of view through complete model games. Predict Black's moves in one of the Modern Benoni's sharpest systems and practise neutralising White's early Bb5+ before creating counterplay.
Benoni Defence Taimanov Variation
Black to Move
Model games
Choose a game, then return here to review or continue your progress.
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| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Taimanov - Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian 0-1 | Training Tournament, Gagra URS | 1953 | 38 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Franz Hoelzl - John Nunn 0-1 | Baden, Baden AUT | 1980 | 31 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Ian Robert Watson - John Nunn 0-1 | British Championship, Brighton ENG | 1980 | 40 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Garry Kasparov - John Nunn 1-0 | Lucerne Olympiad, Lucerne SUI | 1982 | 21 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Gert Ligterink - Eric Lobron 0-1 | Amsterdam OHRA, Arnhem NED | 1983 | 37 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Evgeny Ilgizovich Bareev - Veselin Topalov 0-1 | Dortmund Candidates, Dortmund GER | 2002 | 46 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
| Vincent Keymer - Richard Rapport 0-1 | GRENKE Chess Classic, Karlsruhe GER | 2024 | 36 | No | - | - | - | - | Start |
What is the Benoni Defence Taimanov Variation?
The Benoni Defence Taimanov Variation is a forcing response to the Modern Benoni. A typical move order is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Bb5+. White combines rapid kingside expansion with a check that interferes with Black's normal development and makes the next defensive choice important.
White often wants to support e4-e5, develop quickly and use the lead in space to build an attack. Black must answer the check accurately, avoid passive piece placement and look for the familiar Benoni breaks ...b5 and ...f5 when they are tactically sound. Because the position becomes concrete early, move order and calculation matter as much as the strategic plans.
Plans and ideas to look for
Watch the e4-e5 break
White's pawn centre can advance quickly. Control e5, identify tactical threats on the diagonal and be ready to challenge the centre before the attack gathers momentum.
Find active counterplay
Use ...b5 or ...f5 only when the pieces support the break. Timely activity is essential because a slow setup can leave Black cramped under White's extra space.
Common mistakes for Black
Blocking development against Bb5+
A legal reply is not automatically a useful one. Judge each response by the placement it leaves for Black's queenside pieces.
Delaying pressure on e4
If White consolidates or advances e4-e5, Black may lose the dynamic basis of the opening. Create pressure before starting a slow flank plan.
Starting queenside play with the king exposed
The position is sharp enough that one lost tempo matters. Secure the king and answer White's central threats before expanding.
How to study these Benoni games as Black
Take Black's side before revealing each move and begin by calculating the consequences of White's check and central threats. Compare candidate replies to Bb5+, then track how Black completes development and prepares ...b5 or ...f5. After each game, review whether Black challenged White's centre at the right moment or allowed the e4-e5 advance to become dangerous. This makes the variation's tactical move orders easier to connect with the underlying Benoni strategy.