Taimanov Variation
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4c5
- 3.d5e6
- 4.Nc3exd5
- 5.cxd5d6
- 6.e4g6
- 7.f4Bg7
- 8.Bb5+
1,153 games
A sharp Modern Benoni line in which White checks with 8. Bb5+ to disrupt Black's development before pushing e4-e5; long a serious test for Black.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Taimanov Variation
The Taimanov Variation of the Benoni Defense, also called the Taimanov Attack or Flick-Knife Attack, is the check 8. Bb5+ in the Pawn Storm line of the Modern Benoni. Blocking with 8...Bd7 or 8...Nbd7 occupies d7, so after 9. e5 the f6-knight has no retreat. That makes the usual reply 8...Nfd7 critical. Mark Taimanov analyzed the line in 1956, and in the 1980s it led to a theoretical crisis for the Modern Benoni. Engines rate White's edge as slight.