Customer Reviews

The Complete Benoni (Batsford Chess Library)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Go over to the review on The Complete Dragon/Edward Gufeld by the reader from LA and you have an exact review of this book also. I bought both based on the reviews. Lev Psakhis' advice in the opening of The Complete Benoni is that Black has the Sicilian Defense against PK4 openings, but little defense against PQ4, other than the lines of this system. With that out of the way, he proceeds with rare moves for white after 1 D4 Nf6, 2 C4 C5, 3 D5 E6, labeling them as other than Nc3. The variations are many and exquisitely detailed. His commentary is brief and cryptic, letting the variations (and the reader's understanding of positional play) speak for themselves in terms of analysis, as it should be for a complete understanding of the aesthetic of chess. The book was initially frustrating for me as an intermediate level player, but the more time I spend with it the more I learn.

The Complete Benoni is 254 page volume on the merits of responding to White's 1.d4 and 2.c4 with 1...Nf6 and 2...c5 Author and Grandmaster Lev Psakhis reports a 70% winning percentage in over 60 games using this system. Not for the timid, this system should appeal to anyone who is unwilling to let White dictate the opening. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 (or e4) g6 should provide an exciting game with very few draws, which can't be said for the Queen's Indian Defence. Index of variations also include the ELO numbers (A60-A79). Very helpful.

I bougnt this book with the intention to understand the Benoni.
Woof... just a foot beside the bull's eye!
In fact, this book is a serious review of all the lines with short evaluations and up-to-date infos. But I believe it is not for the under Expert level and it surely is of no help if you don't already know the opening.

This is a great book to study the Benoni. I love playing black, and I do believe that this defence is one the black's best. However, it's very easy for white to disrupt before black even sets it up. If black plays c5, expecting white to advance his pawn to d5, white can simply dxc5. Classical theory is against white's decision, since you aren't supposed to exchange center pawns for side pawns. But with one move, white has completely destroyed any chances for black to set up the Benoni. I play a modified version of the Benoni that is also similar to the King's Indian Defence. Instead of focusing on closing the c and d files, I try to close the d and e files. I only play e6 and d6 first, then wait for white to advance, then close the center. But to me, e5 is the most important square on the board to control, so fight for that square! If black can control that square, he can launch a kingside attack much easier than white can.