Zugzwang: When Every Move Leads to Trouble

 

Zugzwang Explained: A Chess Resource Guide 

Feeling forced to make a bad move? In chess, that's Zugzwang!

This guide equips you with valuable resources to understand and practice Zugzwang, from in-depth articles and interactive puzzles to instructive game analyses and insightful video lessons.

Zugzwang Wikipedia Page 

 Good sized page on this topic with history and examples.

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BOOKS (FREE)

• Zugzwang - Chess Tactics -9 page PDF ) I Believe this is a chapter from some book.
  
  
• Chess zugzwang puzzles 1 to 10 - 8 page PDF

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Zugzwang Chess Articles: Sharpen Your Tactics

Dive into strategy guides, tackle challenging puzzles, and witness the power of Zugzwang in action through analyzed games.

• What is Zugzwang and How Can You Win Chess Games With This Idea - Nice Article (In Depth) - It covers strategies on how to induce Zugzwang, provides examples from famous games, and explains related terms like zwischenzug (intermediate move), highlighting their importance in chess tactics and endgames.
  
  
• Zugzwang Article - by GM Julio Becerra on Chess.com -  showing you the “Zugzwang Immortal Game” between Saemisch-Nimzowitsch
  
  
• Chess Puzzles: The Art of Zugzwang - Article by GM Lubomir Kavalek - 3 Famous Puzzles to Solve.
  
  
• Zugzwang in Chess (The Beginner’s Guide) - Chessable Blog Guide (In-Depth) - really extensive Guide showing many places in chess where this concept has to be considered.
  
  
• Zugzwang in Chess: Everything You Need To Know - Article w/ Embedded Video Lesson
  
  
• Zugzwang: How It Works and Why It Matters in Chess - GM Igor Smirnov - Nice solid easy to understand Article.

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ZugZwang LiChess Studies

Put your Zugzwang understanding to the test with this collection of interactive Lichess studies! 

• Zugzwang Hard and Nice Puzzles - 13 Chapter - Interactive Study
  
  
• Zugzwang.Exercises - 11 Chapter -  Interactive Study
  
  
• Paul Morphy zugzwang puzzle variations - 18 Chapter - Interactive Study
  
  
• Zugzwang: Endgame - 11 Chapter - K&P Endgame Puzzles

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Game Databases

Delve into the world of real-life Zugzwang with these curated game collections:

Chessgames.com 

• Collection of 34 Games - extraordinary examples featuring Zugzwang from 
  
  
• Zugzwang Greats !! - 36 Games

By studying these games, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how Zugzwang manifests in real-world chess scenarios. You'll observe how grandmasters create Zugzwang situations, exploit their opponent's limitations, and ultimately secure victory.

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Tactics

Sharpen your tactical vision 

Lichess Tactics Trainer

•  ZugZwang Puzzles - 26,262 Puzzles
  
  

By consistently practicing Zugzwang puzzles on Lichess, you'll develop the ability to identify these situations in your own games and exploit them for a winning advantage. So, dive in and start honing those tactics!

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Zugzang Chess Video Lessons

What is Zugzwang In Chess? 🎓 Beginner Chess Lessons - GM Damian Lemos - 15 Min - Damian tackles a topic that can be crucial in chess games, but is often overlooked by beginners: Zugzwang.

What Is "Zugzwang" In Chess? - 5 Min - NM Nelson Lopez - In this video I show an example from a recent game where I achieved zugzwang on my opponent.  
Chess.com: Endgame Technique; Zugzwang - 4 Min - GM Friedel analyzes what could be a very difficult endgame. But with the application of the principle of zugzwang, he is able to make everything clear.

Chess Endgames: Using Zugzwang!  -8 Min Video (by IM Kostya Kavutskiy) - Kostya Kavutskiy brings us an interesting example of Zugzwang in the endgame!

Saemich vs Nimzovich (1923) - 10 min Video -Kingscrusher.

   (The Immortal Zugzwang Game)

  Video Below

Alekhine - Nimzowitsch - 11 Min Video (With a Zugzwang Theme) - Great zugzwang ending

Rook vs Pawn Endgame Study - (1928 Reti Endgame Study) - For having so few pieces, it is really a fantastic piece which showcases opposition, zugzwang, and king shouldering. If you can master this ending you will have no problem with most Rook vs. Pawn positions!

Most Incredible Zugzwang Of All Time?! - 22Min - IM Danny Rensch - IM Danny Rensch as he breaks down this epic game between Stoofvlees and Stockfish during the 15th Computer Chess Championship

The Scotch Game: A Comprehensive Resource Guide for White (C44-C45)

 

Feeling hemmed in by the Ruy Lopez? 
 Unleash Your Inner Tactician with the Scotch

• Dynamic and Aggressive: The Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) is a fantastic opening choice for White players who crave dynamic positions and tactical opportunities. It avoids the complex lines of the Ruy Lopez while offering a rich battlefield for attacking chances.

• Suitable for All Levels: Whether you're a beginner looking for an exciting first opening or a seasoned player seeking new ideas, the Scotch Game offers something for everyone. Its clear development plans and central focus make it easy to learn, while its tactical depth provides a challenge for experienced players.

• Master the Scotch with Free Resources: This comprehensive guide equips you with all the tools you need to conquer the center and launch a fierce attack. We'll explore key variations, sharpen your tactical vision with puzzles, and provide video lessons from Chess GMs to elevate your game.

Let's explore the Scotch Game together!
Scroll down to discover articles, puzzles, video lessons, and more!


Scotch Game Wikipedia Page 
This page offers a solid foundation for understanding the opening's main lines, variations, and key ideas. 

 Wikipedia Links To All the Variation Explanations

• Main variations

  • 2.1

    Main line: 4.Nxd4

    • 2.1.1

      Classical Variation: 4...Bc5

    • 2.1.2

      Schmidt Variation: 4...Nf6

    • 2.1.3

      Steinitz Variation: 4...Qh4!?

  • 2.2

    Scotch Gambit: 4.Bc4

  • 2.3

    Göring Gambit: 4.c3

    • 2.3.1

      4...d5

    • 2.3.2

      Other ways of declining

    • 2.3.3

      One-pawn gambit: 4...dxc3 5.Nxc3

    • 2.3.4

      Double-pawn gambit: 4...dxc3 5.Bc4

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Books & Courses (FREE)

FREE Chessable Course

• The Scotch Gambit Starter Kit - Everything’s covered in just 31 trainable variations. Meaning you can start playing and winning with the Scotch Gambit in the next hour or two.

Internet Archive

500 Scotch Miniatures By Bill Wall - 107 Page PDF


4 Opening Systems to Start With - 50 page PDF - Free Exeter Chess Club PDF (Public Domain E-Book - This booklet gives you a repertoire to play when you are starting out in chess. It also gives you some alternatives if for some reason you don't like my first choice. The core of the repertoire is to play as White the Scotch Gambit.

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Scotch Chess Articles and Lessons

Deepen your theoretical knowledge of the Scotch Game with a collection of in-depth articles from chess experts.

• Scotch Game -  Chess Simplified Guide - This guide explores how to play White and Black in the Scotch Game chess opening, including aggressive strategies and effective counters.
  
  
• The Scotch Opening and Attacking opening for White - Big article on iChess.net - This guide explores why the Scotch is a great opening for various chess styles, how to play it effectively, and variations like the Four Knights and Mieses. (Archived)
  
  
• Chess Opening Basics The Scotch Game - on the Chessable Blog  (Decent Article) - This guide breaks down the core ideas behind the Scotch Game chess opening, making it easy for beginners to understand development and gain space in the center.

 

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Scotch Lichess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• Scotch Gambit - 11 Chapter Study - Nice Look at the Different Lines.
  
  
• Scotch Game - 7 Chapter - This quick Lichess study provides a concise overview of the main Scotch Game lines. (Good for beginners)
    
• Scotch Game w/ Ideas and Outcomes:  - 40 Chapter Study (Interactive)  (Really Well Done) (1100 Hearts) - This comprehensive Lichess study delves into the key ideas and outcomes of various Scotch Game and Gambit lines, featuring interactive puzzles for practice. (Comprehensive guide for all levels)
  
  
• The ultimate Scotch gambit guide - 19 Chapter Study - Lines, and model games

LiStudy   (Learn and Practice opening with Movetrainer)

• Scotch Game (White)  -  24 Lines to Practice
• Scotch Opening Repertoire  - 7 Lines to Practice
• In Depth Scotch Repertoire  -  30 Lines to Practice  (Really Nice)
• Scotch Gambit (Jedi Guide)  -  11 Lines to Practice

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge of the Scotch Game. Find the Lichess study that best suits your needs and start mastering the Scotch Game today!

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Scotch Game Chess Puzzles 

Sharpen Your Scotch Game Tactics! Test your skills with a collection of puzzles featuring typical tactical motifs and attacking chances that arise in Scotch Game positions.

(WTHarvey - 10,000 Chess Puzzles) 

Scotch Game (C45) - 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 (10 Puzzles)

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Italian Game: Scotch Gambit - 2221 Puzzles 
Scotch Game - 24,000 Puzzles (Can break down puzzles to 17 variations on main page)

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Games Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Scotch and see how it's played in practice.

365Chess.com

• Scotch Game Guide - 43,000 Games
• C45: Scotch game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 - 29,515 games
• C44: King's pawn game 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 - 324,000 Games

Chessgames.com

• Kings pawn game c44 -  27 Annotated games
• Scotch game c45  - 50 Annotated games

Annotated Games 
 Deep Fritz - Kramnik, Vladimir (2807) [C45] 

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Scotch Game Video Lessons 

Learn from chess masters in video tutorials that explain the Scotch's key ideas and strategies.

Scotch Game Opening Theory - 6 Video Playlist - Hanging Pawns

ST Louis Chess Club Videos 

The Scotch Game - Chess Openings Explained  - 45 Min - Jonathan Schrantz teaches the Scotch Game, an underestimated opening that releases tension in the center early. Besides two notable games, the Goering gambit and the Dubois-Reti defence are also covered.
Let's Do Scotch! | Chess and Psychology - IM Dorsa Derakhshani - 52 Min - Dorsa Derakhshani takes you inside her head as she relives her games in the Scotch Game or Scotch Opening.

Opening Problems | Scotch | French | King's Indian - GM Yasser Seirawan - 50 Min - Intermediate-level lecture at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Club member Ken West asks for help in the Scotch

Nick Risko
Series on the Scotch Game or Scotch Opening.

• A Shot of Scotch #1: Third Move Sidelines | Chess Openings Explained - 69 Min
• A Shot of Scotch #2: Scotch Gambit, Bc5 Lines | Chess Openings Explained - 56 Min
• A Shot of Scotch #3: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Reti & Nakhmanson | Chess Openings Explained - 63 min
• A Shot of Scotch #4: Göring Gambit | Chess Openings Explained - 41 Min
• A Shot of Scotch #5: Queen Moves | Chess Openings Explained - 51 Min
• A Shot of Scotch: The Napoleon Gambit | Chess Openings Explained - 18 Min

 
A Magical Chess Opening for ALL Levels - 16 Min (Potter Variation)  IM Rozman - The Scotch, in particular the Potter Variation. A very easy opening for beginners who are looking to get good at chess.

Chess Openings: How To Play The Scotch Gambit - Quickstarter Jedi Guide - 31 Min

Attack with the Scotch and Giuoco Piano! - GM Roman Dzindzichashvili - 35 Min

DOMINATE with Black against the Scotch Gambit! (EMPIRE CHESS) - 16 Min - GM Victor Mikhalevski demonstrates the perils awaiting any unprepared player with the black pieces against the Scotch Gambit along with several impressive examples of successful defense.

Scotch Gambit 

Scotch Gambit  - 11 Video Playlist - FM James Canty III

• The Best Chess Opening against 1...e5 | Scotch Gambit Traps - 19 Min - Instead of taking the pawn back with 4.Nxd4, White plays in gambit style, sacrificing the pawn, for rapid development and great attacking opportunities. You'll enjoy this line a lot because it is solid, aggressive, and easy to learn.
  
  
• The Scotch Gambit: Great Examples and Ideas for White! - 26 Min  Ichess.net - Roman looks at a number of Scotch Gambit lines with emphasis upon White maintaining an advantage in every possible line.
  
  
• The Max Lange Attack in the Scotch Gambit | An Opening full of Traps | IM Alex Astaneh - 24 Min - Showing you the Max Lange Attack that can arise out of the Scotch Gambit. The Max Lange Attack is not only popular at the master level but also at the club level as it offers a dynamic play.
  
  
• How to Play the Scotch Gambit | Grandmaster Repertoire - 40 Min GM Moulthun - Molton dissects variations after White gambits the d-pawn (4.Bc4) in the Scotch Game. Learn aggressive ideas to capitalize on the pawn sacrifice!
  
  
• Grab the Initiative and become unstoppable with the Scotch Gambit! - 20 Min  GM Roman Dzindzichashvili - Roman looks at unexpected variations to get a good position in the Scotch Gambit with 4.Bc4 rather than capturing The Pawn in the main Line Scotch with 4.Nxd4 is his featured game.

 

Goring Gambit 

Goring Gambit Series - 10 Video Playlist - AS Chess School

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Goring Gambit! - 21 Min - The Chess Giant - Solomon Rodell explores this aggressive gambit (1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 3.d4 exd4 4.c3!). Learn how to punish Black's unusual defense!

The NEW (and better!) Danish Gambit | Repertoire: Goring Gambit - 32 Min - FM William Graf - Surprise your opponent with a sneaky gambit! Graif explores this aggressive line (1.e4 Nf3 3.c3 4.d4!) for White in the Danish Gambit. Sacrifice for a tempo and dominate the center! (You Transpose to the Scotch)

Attacking Chess Gambit against 1.e5 (Goring Gambit) - 30 Min - In-depth tutorial on the Goring Gambit, an aggressive chess opening strategy against 1.e5.

Chess Opening for Black (Goring Gambit) - 20 Min - A comprehensive guide on how to counter the Goring Gambit in chess when playing as black.

Scotch Game | Göring Gambit - 21 Min - Hanging Pawns - The Göring Gambit is a very aggressive, highly provocative and slightly unsound continuation for white. He gives up a full pawn for development and an attempt for a deadly initiative.  (New - 6/10/2024)

Scotch Game Traps

• Chess Trap 27 (Counter-Trap Against Scotch Gambit) - 12 Min
  
  
• Deadly Scotch Game Trap | Hyper-Aggressive Opening for White - 7 Min
  
  
• Chess TRAPS in the Scotch Gambit opening! ♔ Paul Morphy ♕ QUEEN Sac! - 3 Min
  
  
• Scotch gambit chess opening - strong attacking traps you should know - 15 Min - We take a look at Scotch gambit game and some amazing attacking options and "traps" white has prepared for player playing the black pieces by not allowing him to castle.
  
  Best Chess Opening for White After 1.e4 | Scotch Gambit Traps - 16 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - Out of the 3 most common responses of Black, 2 moves are huge mistakes and lose the game for Black immediately.
  
  
• Best Chess Opening for White After 1.e4 | Scotch Gambit Traps - 16 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - Out of the 3 most common responses of Black, 2 moves are huge mistakes and lose the game for Black immediately.

Black Side of the Scotch

 GJ_Chess

• Chess Opening for Black (Scotch Game - 1)  - 26 Min - GJ_Chess
• Chess Opening for Black (Scotch Game - 2)  - 27 Min  - GJ_Chess
• Chess Opening for Black (Evans Gambit) - 22 Min - GJ CHess

How to play against the Scotch  -  24 Min - NM Robert Plunketts lab - I go over all the main options and some of the trickiest options for black on how to play against the Scotch opening

Scotch Game - A Short, Simple Repertoire for Black - 21 Min - A brief, easy-to-remember repertoire for Black against the Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4).

Chess Opening For Black against E4 | Scotch Game - 6 Min - Coach Kestony 

My SECRET Anti-Scotch Opening System [No Theory] - 19 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - You will cut down on a lot of opening theory by learning a single variation that can be played against all these lines. The London Defense variation, which occurs after 4...Bb4+ in the Scotch Gambit, forces White to react to the check, thus limiting their choices. You will also learn the common opening mistakes to avoid, middlegame plans, typical attacking ideas, and some deadly traps

Scotch GAME VIDEOS (w/Analysis)

Scotch Opening  - 60 Video Playlist - Chess School
Scotch Game  - 12 Video Playlist  - agadmantor
Scotch Game  - 68 Video playlist - kingscrusher

This Guy Just Demolished a Super GM with SCOTCH GAMBIT - 12 Min - Awonder Liang just won an incredibly beautiful game with the Scotch Gambit against Levon Aronian

GM Naroditsky
Amazing Game Videos w/ Lots of Analysis and GM lessons.

• Beginner To Master | Chess Speedrun | Scotch Game  - 20 Min
• Master Class | The Scotch Game | Chess Speedrun  - 34 min
• Scotch Gambit (AMAZING Game) | The Sensei Speedrun  - 61 Min
• Scotch Game: Göring, Main Line | The Sensei Speedrun - 28 Min 

"Fortune favors the bold." - Virgil (Poet)

Italian Game, Rousseau Gambit C50 Opening Theory

 Rousseau Gambit Resources

Wikipedia Page
The Rousseau Gambit (or Ponziani Countergambit)
is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 f5
White has three main choices in the Rousseau Gambit:
1. Defend the e4 pawn with d3 and trust the extra tempo will make itself felt.
(With This move Black can Transpose into the Lucchini Gambit)
2. Accept the gambit with 4.exf5.
3. Strike back in the center with 4.d4.

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Rousseau Gambit Chess Articles

Rousseau Gambit in the Italian Game - Guide w/ Embedded video by GM Igor Smirnov
Rousseau Gambit: Where Italian Game and King’s Gambit Meet - Chessable Blog Opening Guide
Lucchini Gambit: A Little Known Chess Opening - Chessable Blog Opening Guide

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Rousseau Gambit LiChess Studies

Rousseau Gambit - 12 Chapter Study (at Top)
Rousseau Gambit - 11 Chapter interactive Study (80 hearts)
Rousseau Gambit vs. Italian - 25 Chapter Interactive Study
Super Cool Rousseau Gambit Traps! - 5 Chapter Study
Rousseau Gambit in the Italian Game - 5 Chapter Study (Just 5 games Played By Guys 2000+)

Lucchini gambit - 4 Chapter Study (1100 hearts)

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Game Databases

Chessgames.com

Italian Gambits (C50-C55 actually) - 2 Games in this collection

365Chess.com

C50: Rousseau gambit 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 - 104 games

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Rousseau Gambit Video Lessons

Learn This INSANE NEW Gambit!! - 26 min - Gotham Chess
The Rousseau Gambit | Risky Opening Choice for Black in the Italian Game | IM Alex Astaneh - 10 Min
The MOST AGGRESSIVE Gambit Ever? - 34 min - Johnathan Schrantz
The BEST Chess Opening Against 1.e4 - Every Move is a Trap! -19 min GM Igor Smirnov
The BEST Chess Opening Against 1.e4 | TRAPPIEST Gambit for Black - 14 Min GM Igor Smirnov

Lucchini Gambit

(If White Plays Rousseau Gambit Declined. and on move 4.d3 black can transpose to this Gambit)
Lucchini Gambit - Every Move is a Trap - 16 min - TheChesswebsite
Lucchini Gambit - Accepted Variation - 13 min -TheChesswebsite
Top 10 Traps in the Lucchini Gambit | Chess Opening Tricks, Moves, Strategy & Tactics - 9 Min

Rousseau Gambit Chess Traps

Italian - Rousseau Gambit - Equal but in Chains (trap no. 58) - 4Min

Rousseau gambit Game Videos (W/Analysis)

Facing the Rousseau Gambit (3...f5?!) | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. artur74blef - (1376) - 35 Min IM John Bartholomew
Morphy vs the Rousseau Gambit | Learn Giuoco Piano Ep.1 - 10 Min
Discovering a New Opening Trap | Lucchini Gambit - 4 Min - Im Eric Rosen
Lucchini Gambit || Stockfish 8 vs Stockfish 14 - 8 Min

Mastering the Benoni Defense: Ultimate Chess Resources Guide

Benoni Defense
 Crush White's d4 Dreams with Razor-Sharp Counterplay

The Benoni Defense is a bold and dynamic chess opening for Black, characterized by the moves:

• 1. d4 Nf6
• 2. c4 c5
• 3. d5 e6

Named after Hungarian chess player Gyula Benoni, this opening offers Black sharp counterplay and leads to complex, unbalanced positions. Here's what you need to know:

• Strategic Aims: Black challenges White's center early, aiming for queenside counterplay and potential kingside attacks.
• Pawn Structure: The characteristic c5 pawn thrust creates tension in the center, often leading to a closed center with opposing pawn chains.
• Piece Activity: Black often develops the light-squared bishop to g7 (fianchetto), applying pressure on the long diagonal.
• Tactical Opportunities: The unbalanced nature of the position frequently leads to sharp tactical play and sacrificial attacks.
• Variations: The Benoni family includes the Modern Benoni, Czech Benoni, and the aggressive Benko Gambit, each with its own strategic nuances.

While considered slightly risky for Black, the Benoni Defense rewards precise play with dynamic counterattacking chances. It's favored by players who enjoy tactical, high-stakes chess and are willing to navigate complex middlegame positions.

 Bishops Bounty Benko Gambit page

Bishops Bounty Czech Benoni Page 

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Books & Courses (Free)

Chessable Course (Free)

• Short & Sweet: Modern Benoni  -  Opening course by GM Mircea Parligras - with 29 Trainable Variations and 72 Min of Video - A weapon to give White a run for his money against 1.d4
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Alonso's Modern Benoni - GM Alvar Alonzo Rosell - 10 Variations w/ 39 Min of Video. 10 lines of the purest Modern Benoni repertoire to sample. You'll also get Alonso's unique descriptive move-by-move annotations.

Internet Archive

• 200 Modern Chess Traps In The Fianchetto Openings - by J.B.Howson   (Page 69-89)
  
  

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Benoni Chess Articles

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Benoni Defense.

• Benoni Defense: Complete Guide - FM Zaur Tekeyev - Chess World Article - Nice Overview of all the Main variations, Modern, Snake, Czech, Benko and Classical w/ example Games.
  
  
• The Benoni defense  - Article By Alberto Chueca  (Simple with main ideas)
  
  
• The Velimirovic's Guide to the Modern Benoni - GM Gregory Serper - GM Dragoljub Velimirovic Games w/ Analysis (7 Games w/ several puzzles Included)
  
  
• Benoni Defense Guide - 365Chess.com - Ideas, Most Played moves, General Overview of the Variations and Links to Games in these Extensive Database.
  
  
• When White Avoids the Benoni: The Vaganian Gambit - GM Gregory Serper - A positional Gambit w/ a Kasparov game analyzed in great detail.
• A Modern Approach With the Benoni Defense  - Chessable Blog Article w/ embedded Video 
  
  
• Fighting the Benoni: The Remarkable Nh5 Idea - ChessWorld Article - In which situations should black seriously consider playing Nh5? 3 Famous Games including a Fisher Game w/ analysis.

 

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Benoni LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

• The Benoni Defense  - 32 Chapter Study (Very In-depth)  - Some explanations of the main lines w/ many repertoire variations against many of Whites different Attacks.
  
  
• The Benoni Defense explained - 12 Chapter Study - Detailed Explanations of Variations.
  
  
• Deep Into the Benoni Defense  - 18 Chapter Study - Detailed mainly about the Old Benoni
  
  
• Black Repertoire in the Benoni - 16 Chapter Study - Detailed Modern Benoni Variations

  

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GAMES & DATABASES

Analyze real-life games featuring the Benoni Defense and see how it's played in practice.

• THE FORGOTTEN MODERN BENONI  -  GM Walter Browne vs GM Nick deFimnian
  Played in the U. S. Championship, 1994.   (Full Analysis )
  
  
• Magic in the Benoni Defense - ChessWorld.com - 3 games w/ Analysis of GM Vladamir Savon 
  
  
• g3 Benoni by GM Magesh and GM Arun - Chess.com Article w/ 2 Games w/ analysis

Chessgames.com

• Benoni Defense (A56) -  4280 Games - Database
  
  Collections
  
  • Benoni Defense - 24 games - Modern Benoni Defense great games from White and Black points of view.
    
  • Tal the tactician -//- The benoni as black - 13 Games
  • Instructive Benoni Defense Games - 10 Games - This collection is for instructive black wins in the Benon

365chess.com

• A43: Old Benoni defence 1. d4 c5  - 17,000 Games  
  
• A56: Benoni defence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 - 54,600 Games 
  
  

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Benoni Chess PUZZLES

Test your tactical skills with puzzles specifically designed for the Benoni.

WTHarvey.com 

• Old Benoni (ECO A43)  -  50 Puzzles
  
• Old Benoni Defense (ECO A44)  - 12 Puzzles
  
• Benoni Defense (ECO A56)  - 34 Puzzles
  
• Benko Gambit (ECO A59)  - 18 puzzles
  
• Benoni, Four Pawns Attack, Main line (ECO A69) - 8 Puzzles
  
• Benoni, Classical, 9.O-O (ECO A73)  - 8 Puzzles
  
  

LiChess Openings Puzzles

• LiChess Benoni Defense Puzzles -  7600 Puzzles 
• ( Puzzles Openings Theme Page - Can be broken down into 12 Benoni Variations)

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BENONI VIDEO Lessons

Playlists

• Benoni Defense Opening Theory   -  6 Part Playlist   -  4+ Hrs   Hanging Pawns
  
• Czech Benoni  -  13 Video Playlist  (Short Videos to the point of Diff Lines and Middle-game Plans) - NM Bryan Tillis
  
  

The Benoni: Lecture by GM Ben Finegold  - 50 min - GM Ben Finegold (New 2024)
Mostly covering the Modern Benoni

Understanding Your Openings | The Benoni Defence - 24 Min IM Andreas Toth - A mini lecture about the importance of pattern recognition in the opening/early middlegame in the Benoni structure!

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Benoni Defense! - 15 Min  Chess Giant - Lesson on the Modern Benoni, which is the most popular variation at the Grandmaster level.
Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Old Benoni Defense - 11 Min  Chess Giant - The Old Benoni Defense is one of the best responses to d4 and in this video we cover the chess strategy, chess moves, chess ideas, chess principles, chess theory, chess traps, chess tricks, and a chess lesson.

NM Spencer Finegold

• The Modern Benoni Part 1: Vugar Gashimov with NM Spencer Finegold - 55 Min - Discusses several of Vugar Gashimov's wins as Black in the Modern Benoni.
  
• The Modern Benoni Part 2: Vugar Gashimov with NM Spencer Finegold - 58 Min
  
• The Modern Benoni Part 3: Nd2 and f3 Variations - 60 Min - Discusses 7.Nd2 as well as f3 variations White can play against the Modern Benoni.

Benoni Chess Traps

• Chess Traps - Old Benoni Trap - 8 Min
  
• Chess Trap 16 (Fischer's Trap in Modern Benoni) - 7 Min
  
• Dirty Chess Tricks 37 (Tricky line against Benoni Openings) - 16 Min

 

Chess 24 Lessons

• Great Games in the Benoni - Lessons on cochess.com - 74 Min  WIM Sgircea|- An interactive chess lesson with her student and will answer questions from the chat.
  
• Test your Knowledge in the Benoni - lessons with WIM Raluca Sgircea - 74 Min - Looking at classical games and typical ideas and this time let's test our knowledge in the Benoni.
  
• Great games in the Benoni #3 | WIM Raluca Sgirea - 89 Min - Classical games and typical ideas
  
• Great games in the Benoni #4 | WIM Raluca Sgircea - 70 Min
  
• Play the Benoni Defense | Kestony | World Online Schools | Cochess.com - 56 Min - A stream on learning the Benoni.

St.Louis Chess Club

Jonathan Schrantz presents three Modern Benoni lectures.

•  The Modern Benoni is No Baloney: Part 1 - Chess Openings Explained  - 52 Min - Part 1 focuses on the Taimanov Attack variation.
• The Modern Benoni is No Baloney: Part 2 - Chess Openings Explained  - 50 Min -  Explores the classical and modern main lines of the Modern Benoni
• The Modern Benoni is No Baloney: Part 3 - Chess Openings Explained  - 54 Min -  Completes the Benoni trilogy with this walkthrough of the Fianchetto and Knight's Tour Variations of the Modern Benoni.

Game Videos w/ Analysis

Playlists

• Benoni Defence (includes Modern Benoni) - Chess Opening - 100 Game Playlist  - Kingcrusher
  
  
• Benoni  - 14 game Playlist  - Chessbase India

FM Dennis Monokroussos - Tactics in the Benoni  - 37 Min
Benoni is Back! | Xiong VS Caruana | US Championship 2018. - 10 Min
Boris Spassky vs Bobby Fischer - 1972 World Championship - Game 3 - Benoni - 9 Min
Mikhail Tal's sharpest Modern Benoni games - vs Averbakh - 20 Min
Mikhail Tal's most emphatic and crushing Modern Benoni games: Black vs Gurgenidze : USSR 1957 - 15 Min
Ponomariov vs Donchenko | Benoni Masterclass by Alexander Donchenko - 17 Min
Analyzing Benoni Games with Eric Rosen - 60 Min
Modern Benoni many years ahead of its time! || Alekhine vs Capablanca - 13 Min
Sacrifice in the Benoni | Journey to GM #14 - 13 Min  GM Molton