An ambitious build-up against Benoni

Benoni is an active opening for Black, and it is enjoying a comeback right now. Taming the opponent's dynamics in positions where the player to move second can rely on his active pieces and the queenside majority has always been difficult for White players. The subject of these 60-minute video clips is the core of the line 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 (after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7). This is not very popular among Benoni supporters - the first player comes dangerously close to the dream of massaging the opponent. How best to counter this promising setup is still the subject of heated debate, because not everyone is happy with Black's main line with the immediate 9...b5. Well-prepared Benoni lovers can still find ways to get close to equalizing, but the initiative remains firmly in White's hands. Slovakian GM Lubomir Ftacnik analyses and evaluates all the key ideas of the defence and shows ways to put Black under pressure. The whole thing is complemented by a database with the most important games. Anyone looking for a solid, promising and clearly structured opening system against Benoni will find a wealth of carefully selected information.