I know statistics shouldn't be trusted blindly, but in my database, White scores an impressive 67 % in the specific 9.exd5 line that BPaulsen mentions.

As discussed in another thread, Black can avoid the Taimanov with a move order like 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 d6, following up with 4...g6 5...Bg7 6...0-0 and only then 7...e6, and yet that move order is not very popular. I know the Taimanov is not an issue in this thread, as White has already played 2.Nf3, but there should be a reason why most players prefer 3...e6 and 4...exd5, and I thought the extra possibility of exd5 was the most important one.

Besides, 9.exd5 looks consistent with the rest of the repertoire: Solid lines, not the most critical ones, but still with decent chances for a small advantage.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 01/17/10 at 04:41:25:


In that line - yes, if they normally don't face the Benoni (ie: play with 1. c4 or 1. Nf3). For a 1. d4 player maybe yes, maybe no, depending on their repertoire already in place.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5845

http://www.chessbase.com/cbm/cbm132e/cbm132-05/E90_Krasenkow_g.htm#game1

The analysis is there.

And it requires some technique to play for the win, but that's true for any opening.

Smyslov_Fan wrote on 01/16/10 at 05:35:37:


Polemics like "real advantage" are pointless, especially when white's += comes easily in the exd5 line I mentioned. Krasenkow covers it in his CBM article.

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. 0-0 0-0 6. h3 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Bd3 exd5 9. exd5 comes to mind as one that's +=, even though it's technically a KID, but white can play the Modern Benoni via 9. cxd5.

Trading epawns (...ed5 ed5) is not as strong for white as cd5.  Yes, there are certain tactics available to Black on the semi-open file that would not otherwise be available, but White has both a practical and a theoretical advantage with cd5 compared to ed5. John Nunn describes (7.)ed5 as "dull and harmless" and practice seems to support him.

From a theoretical perspective, the most testing line is the Modern Benoni with cd5 for white.  Whether you wish to avoid the most testing line is your choice, but it's objectively inferior.

Like I wrote above - by answering ...e6 with dxe6. Another option, which I had forgotten is answering ...e6 with e4 followed by ...exd5 exd5.
Eg 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 e6 and now either 6.dxe6 or 6.e4 exd5 7.exd5.

HoemberChess wrote on 01/14/10 at 06:27:39:

Ok. I'd be content with a Maroczy but to each his own.

I play d5 immediately in reply to to ..c5 wherever possible. But in that move-order I have nothing better than c4. (3.Nc3/Bg5/Bf4/e3 are not an option to me versus an early ..g6. I don't want to give details of my repertoire, for that would be offtopic and nobody would read this topic any more, but believe me, it is consistent.)
The Modern Benoni is a move-order sensitive thing. (For example, Black wouldn't be able to force it with a white pawn already on e4, even if there is another on c4, which can still be called a Benoni, KID, Benko, etc.)