Modern Variation, Snake Variation
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4c5
- 3.d5e6
- 4.Nc3exd5
- 5.cxd5Bd6
1,375 games
The Snake Benoni, 5...Bd6, is an offbeat Modern Benoni line in which Black routes the dark-squared bishop via d6 instead of fianchettoing it on g7.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Snake Variation
The Snake Variation, or Snake Benoni, develops the bishop with 5...Bd6 rather than fianchettoing it on g7. Rolf Olav Martens devised it in 1982. The name reflects the bishop's winding route via ...Bc7 and sometimes ...Ba5, and also the Swedish orm, an anagram of his initials. An alternative plan castles and plays ...Re8 and ...Bf8, possibly rerouting the bishop to g7. Normunds Miezis has used it regularly. 6. e4 is White's usual reply, and engines give White a clear advantage.