A64 Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Hastings Defense, Main Line
A64 holds a single named line. It leaves A62 (Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation) with 9.O-O a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.Nd2 Re8. At 22 plies, its reference line is the longest of the 23 Benoni Defense codes. Black’s pieces and pawns attack six squares in White’s half, level for the most of the 23 Benoni Defense codes. White’s pieces and pawns attack four squares in Black’s half, level for the fewest of the 23 Benoni Defense codes.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | d4 | Nf6 |
| 2 | c4 | e6 |
| 3 | g3 | c5 |
| 4 | d5 | exd5 |
| 5 | cxd5 | d6 |
| 6 | Nc3 | g6 |
| 7 | Bg2 | Bg7 |
| 8 | Nf3 | O-O |
| 9 | O-O | a6 |
| 10 | a4 | Nbd7 |
| 11 | Nd2 | Re8 |
Moves only A64 plays
Same as A63 up to 9.O-O, then:
- 9...a6 The a-pawn advances to a6, covering b5, opening a line for the rook on a8.
- 10.a4 The a-pawn advances two squares to a4, covering b5, opening a line for the rook on a1.
- 10...Nbd7 The knight leaves b8 for d7, opening a line for the rook on a8.
- 11.Nd2 The knight goes from f3 to d2, opening a line for the bishop on g2.
- 11...Re8 The rook goes from f8 to e8.
The road to A64
- 1.d4 … 2...e6three earlier stops: A40, A45, A50
- 3.g3E00 Catalan Opening
- 8...O-OA62 Fianchetto Variation
- 11...Re8A64
The position after 11...Re8
White has brought out the knight on c3, knight on d2 and bishop on g2; Black the knight on d7, knight on f6 and bishop on g7. White has a half-open c-file; Black a half-open e-file. White is to move and has 31 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| A78 | Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense | nine squares: a2, e2, g2, g3, a4, e4, a6, a7 … |
| A74 | Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Full Line | ten squares: d2, e2, g2, f3, g3, e4, d7, b8 … |
| A77 | Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line | ten squares: a2, e2, g2, g3, a4, e4, a6, a7 … |
| A79 | Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense | 11 squares: a2, e2, f2, g2, f3, g3, a4, e4 … |
| A75 | Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Argentine Counterattack | 12 squares: d2, e2, g2, f3, g3, e4, g4, d7 … |
| A76 | Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense | 12 squares: a2, d2, e2, g2, f3, g3, a4, e4 … |
| E66 | King’s Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation, Yugoslav Variation, Advance Line | 12 squares: a2, d2, f3, a4, c4, a6, c6, a7 … |