Bogo-Indian Defense: Locking Lines

Position after 21 Rfd1

In such positions, Black ought to move the f6 knight
elsewhere to enable ... f7-f6. The idea is to limit the
b2 bishop's scope along a1-h8. For example,
21 ... Nc5 22 Rc2 Nfe4 23 f3 Ng5 24 h4 Nge6
25 e4 f6.

21 ... h6?! 22 f3?! (22 e3!) 22 ... Nc5 23 e4:



The g2 bishop is shut in and the center pawns are
immobilized. White aims to push a2-a3 and b3-b4,
as well as g3-g4 and h2-h4.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOGO-INDIAN DEFENSE

BOGO-INDIAN DEFENSE ELECTRONIC BOOK (E-BOOK)

BENKO GAMBIT

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5:



What's the Way Forward White?

* Initially, White needs to decide whether to
accept the sacrifice or not.
* If he takes the pawn, Black gets a half open
a- and b-file for counterplay.
* White's basic objective is to break through
with e4-e5 after proper planning. However,
he also needs to attend to Black's queenside
threats, particularly the intrusion of Black's
knights on d3.

* Alternatively, White can refuse the proffered
pawn, in which case Black has only the b-file for
counterplay.
* The game plan is still an e4-e5 breakthrough

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5:



What's the Way Forward Black?

* Black gains prolonged activity at the expense
of a pawn.
* If White accepts the pawn, Black aims to:
Move the rook from f8 to b8, advance the c5
pawn to c4 and then get a knight on d3 via
Nd7-c5 or Nf6-g4/d7-e5.
* The Black queen is normally placed on a5
or b6.
However, sometimes it is set on a8, after the
preparatory Ra7. From these posts, the Queen
eyes White's d5 and a2 pawns.
* After positioning all the pieces on their ideal
posts, Black aims for a breakthrough with
e7-e6.
If White's pawn is already on e4 sometimes even
f7-f5 is worthy of attention.