Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation

What Is The Fianchetto Variation?

The Fianchetto Variation is White's refusal to play the Benoni on Black's terms. Rather than build a broad centre with e4 and invite tactics, White develops the bishop to g2, castles fast, and dares Black to find counterplay against a king nothing attacks. The bishop on g2 stares straight at b7, so ...b5, the break the whole Benoni depends on, comes at a heavy price or not at all.

White reroutes a knight to c4 via d2, clamps the queenside with a4, and plays e4 only when it costs nothing. Black answers with pieces: ...Nbd7 heading for e5, or the Hastings plan with ...Na6 and ...Nc7 to force ...b5 anyway. Land that break on fair terms and Black stands well; fail, and White grinds d6 and the queenside all game.