Czech Benoni Defense

The Czech Benoni, also called the Hromadka Benoni after Karel Hromádka, arises when Black meets 3. d5 with 3...e5. Black does not undermine the d5-pawn with ...e6 or ...b5. Instead the center is fixed with pawns on c5 and e5, which secures dark squares but gives up early counterplay. With the position closed, the middlegame turns on maneuvering. Black prepares a break with ...b5 on the queenside or ...f5 on the kingside. White builds with Nc3, e4, Bd3, Nf3 and h3, and often follows up with g4 to gain kingside space and rule out ...f5.

4. Nc3 is chosen in about three quarters of games. After 4...d6 5. e4 White holds a large spatial plus and can aim for pawn breaks on either wing. The en passant capture 4. dxe6 releases the tension at once, and in practice Black has scored well against it. Engines assess White's advantage as clear, although Lichess results are close to even. Grandmaster Ben Finegold plays the line regularly and has beaten Mamedyarov with it.