Grandmaster Repertoire 12 - The Modern Benoni

Son of sorrow - or something like it - is (apparently) the translation of 'Ben-Oni' the title of the German manuscript of 1825 from which the Modern Benoni opening takes it's name. Openings that aren't named after either people, places or more occasionally animals are rare. Really good books in the Grandmaster Repertoire series are, happily, more commonplace. I confess I got this book not to take up the Benoni against 1.d4 but to get a good 'map' of white's options against the Benoni. Having read it I think the author, Marian Petrov, has done a fine job and I've become if not a convert then at least a fellow traveller. An interesting feature of this book is the author's policy on providing more than just a single 'recommended' line. At first the idea of going through a variation that isn't going to be 'recommended' sounds a bit odd but it can be instructive. You can't but fail to realise that the Benoni is imbalanced, explosive, risky and dare it be said - win or lose - fun. One smallish moan considering this is sold as a repertoire book. If your 1.d4 ... 2.c4 playing opponent isn't man, woman or machine enough to push that pawn on to d5 and satisfy your newfound craving for risk you will have to look elsewhere for advice on ways to go. Whilst no one can cover 'everything' some word of comfort or a pointer or two about anti-Benoni lines would have been nice. Still worth the five stars though.

I have most books on the Benoni in my collection but this is the most comprehensive book containing all the latest theoretical lines in the Modern Benoni. The author explains the main lines and offers interesting alternative lines. The Modern Benoni is a very dynamic opening and many lines require Black to sacrifice material to keep the balance and generate counter play and attacking chances. A must-have book for any serious Benoni player.

Comprehensive coverage of complex opening

The best book I know on the Benoni !!

Alles gut

I got this book for the following reasons:The Modern Main Line with Bd3, Nf3 and h3The four pawns/Taimanov flick-knifeThe Bf4/e3 line that has been topical recentlyThe Fianchetto lines with g3I was hoping that he would cover something other than ...b5 against the Modern Main Line, and in fact he devotes a chapter to alternatives, because in playing ...b5 you're really only going for one result (a draw) against a strong player, and in my opinion that kind of defeats the purpose of playing the Benoni. He gives really nice and active ideas against the Bf4/e3 stuff, and I wouldn't say that he refutes Avrukh's g3 Benoni line, but white certainly seems to be struggling.The four pawns is definitely a critical test of the Benoni, and those positions are certainly messy, but he does a good job of outlining black's resources and ideas.I'm an FM, and I thought the book was chock full of good information. It might take a little while to actually understand what you're reading if you're a Benoni virgin, but it should be worth it. One of the things I like most about this book is his departure from the Avrukh approach in his Grunfeld books. One of the most frustrating things about those Grunfeld books is that he just trys to reach dry equality. I really appreciate Petrov in this book for his eager dives into complications and dynamic situations that a Benoni player wants.

I'm a huge fan of the "Grandmaster Repertoire" series that GM jacob Aagaard started a few years back. In addition, I play and am fascinated with the modern benoni. So with a slight bias, I have to say that I really like this book (although I'm not finished with it yet) The lines that GM Petrov have chosen are pretty clear and sharp. The benoni is a sharp opening to begin with, so my biggest fear was that the author would be too conservative in his approach, which fortunately he was most definitely not. He addressed some of the sharpest variations right in the first 5 or 6 chapters and in my opinion, he did a pretty good job. Chapters 15 & 16 are the lines without an early e4 push by white and instead add 7Bf4 which can be quite annoying for black. I like the lines the author gives; very aggressive. Overall, I would highly recommend the book to any aspiring benoni player. Good luck

Just completed this book. To any devoted chess player, this is a great read into the modern benoni. The author does well to emphasize on key concepts throughout every chapter.To any Benoni devotee... be aware that in OTB play, some of your opponents will try to avoid much of the counter attacking ideas black usually deploys in these lines. My honest suggestion is to compliment the Benoni with a few QGD ideas, to ensure you have a well rounded approach.

This is a very good book on the Modern Benoni. The plans are clearly explained and variations are logically laid out in the popular "variation index" style. I have searched for years for a reliable defense to 1.d4 and this book finally gave me what I needed. The Nimzo- and Queen's Indian defenses are my favorite defenses, but I didn't like that white could sidestep them both with 1.d4 Nf6, 2.c4 e6, and then 3.g3, heading for a Catalan set-up. The Benoni not only is an excellent reply to this set-up, it can be played against any 1.d4, 2.c4 opening. Highly recommended. If you are thinking about buying this book, I also suggest "Attack With Black" by Valery Aveskulov.

This is the Benoni Bible. Nineteen chapters covering all variations in excellent detail. You don't see the GMs playing the Benoni often. However, it you have any interest in this dynamic opening, this is the book to have. It is also another example of the excellence of Quallity Chess Press productions.

Thank you!

Reasonably comprehensive, up-to-date, well organized and laid out - what's not to like? This book will prepare you to play the MBO at a club level, and give you solid starting-points for deeper analysis of critical lines - I don't think you can reasonably ask for more from a single book, on a subject as complex as the Benoni...