After the first two moves, it's technically a French Defense (thus it's in the proper section).  This classification can change in a number of different ways based on White's next move (as well as after subsequent moves).  For instance:

1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5 (ECO classification: C01, French Defense) and now, depending on what White plays we have:

A) 3.d5 (ECO classification: A43, Schmid Benoni)

B) 3.Nf3 (ECO classification: B40, Sicilian 2...e6) 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 (ECO classification: B44, Sicilian Taimanov) and from here it is easy to transpose to Svesnhikov (B33) or Scheveningen (e.g., B85).

C) 3.c3 (ECO classification: B22, c3 Sicilian)

So arguing about classification seems futile to me.  Might as well leave this thread where it is.  

photophore wrote on 01/06/07 at 10:49:57:


Should this topic be moved to Daring Defences?

Through the Sicilian Alapin move-order 1. e4 c5 ; 2. c3 Ktf6 ; 3. e5 Ktd5 ; 4. d4 Black usually plays 4. ...cd ; 5. cd e6 presumably to avoid 4. ...e6 ; 5. c4 Ktb5 ; 6. d5 although this is actually rather enjoyable for Black. This is the same position as that which arises from the Trompowsky 1. d4 Ktf6 ; 2. Bg5 e6 ; 3. e4 (3. Ktd2 h6 was recently "debated" on another thread) c5 ; 4. e5 h6 ; 5. Bc1 Ktd5 ; 6. c4 Ktb4 (Yudasin's specialty and probably the best move) ; 7. d5 except for the placement of the h-pawn on -h7 rather than -h6. This goes still further in favouring Black as (in the Alapin and Benoni sequence) 6. ...ed ; 7. cd d6 cannot be conveniently met by 8. e6 as there is no check on -h5. I am even willing to occasionally play this position as White without an extra tempo through 1. e3 e5 ; 2. Ktf3 e4 ; 3. Ktd4 d5 ; 4. c4 c5 ; Ktb4 d4.

MNb wrote on 01/06/07 at 21:15:17:

I think 3 .. Nf6 is also playable. After 4 Bd3, whites choice for variations of the advance variation are more limited. After 4 Nbd2 a seldom played variation of the Tarrasch is reached. So in any case black has restricted whites options. After 4 e5, one can get a c3 sicilian. 

I think the critical variation is 3 d5, which has a good reputation for white. However it is not clear (to me) which continuations are responsible for that. I think the opening escaped a little bit the attention.

3.Nf3 is perfect, if you want to transpose to the Open Sicilian or the Morra Gambit (cxd4 4.c3). 3.d5 exd5 4.exd5 d6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Be7 7.Bb5+ is promising for White, Harding notwithstanding. The idea of the bishop check is to prevent ...Na6 and ....Ba6 ideas. After 7...Nbd7 8.a4 0-0 9.0-0 a6 10.Be2 b6 White's plan seems to me 11.Bf4 Re8 12.Nd2 (or 12.h3 first) Nf8 13.Nc4 Ng6 14.Bg3 Bf8 15.Bf3 (15.a5!?) Bf5 16.Rb1 Qc7 (Ra7) 17.h4 Bd7 (Rag7) 18.h5! Levacic-Stajcic, Eger 1989.
9...Re8 10.Re1 a6 11.Bf1 (11.Bd3) Nf8 (b6) 12.h3 Bf5 13.a5 is another example, Pelikian-Martinez, Sao Paulo 1991.
Finally I have always wondered, what Black's answer to 3.c3 will be - not d5 4.e5 transposing to the Advance Variation of the French, I suppose.

Happy  New Year !
I am interested by the Franco-Benoni (from White side ) and I can't find here a topic about it
What is the most promising line for White ? ( I am an attacking player )
Thanks in advance
I chose this section because the move order
1 e4 e6
2 d4 c5
But , if you prefer , you may move this topic to another section