Old Benoni

The Old Benoni begins when, after White's queen's pawn advances to d4, Black moves the c-pawn to c5. That pawn attacks White's center from the side. White usually advances the d-pawn to d5, gains space, and forms a wedge that restricts part of Black's position.

Unlike the Modern Benoni, Black does not develop the king's knight first. After d5, Black may choose setups with d6, g6, e5, or a later e6. Some lead to a slow, closed struggle; others transform into more dynamic structures. Old Benoni names a family of starts, not one middlegame.

White develops behind the central wedge. Black tries to attack that chain with pawn advances and find activity on the sides of the board. Black risks becoming cramped if those strikes come too late; White risks advancing too far without supporting the center once lines open.