Ivan Sokolov’s Latest Course Takes a Deep Dive Into Reversed Benoni, Benko and Blumenfeld Structures
By ChessBlog.co.zw | August 10, 2026
The middlegame is where many chess games are truly decided. The opening may provide the structure, but knowing what to do once the familiar moves are over is often what separates a good position from a winning one.
That is the central idea behind Ivan Sokolov’s Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol. 14, the latest instalment in the Dutch Grandmaster’s long-running training series.
This time, Sokolov turns his attention to an unusual but fascinating concept: reversed-colour versions of the Benoni, Benko Gambit and Blumenfeld Gambit.
When Black’s Ideas Become White’s Weapons
At first glance, playing a Black opening with White appears almost too attractive. White has an extra tempo and is already familiar with the strategic ideas of the position.
But chess is rarely that simple.
Sokolov’s course explores why these extra-tempo positions can be highly dynamic and why Black can sometimes compensate through active piece play, structural pressure and timely counterplay.
The course contains 11 deeply annotated model games, with six dedicated to reversed-colour Benoni structures, four to the reversed Benko and one to the reversed Blumenfeld. Altogether, the video material runs for approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes.
Strategy Over Memorisation
One of the strongest aspects of the course is that it is not designed as an opening-repertoire manual.
Instead, Sokolov concentrates on the middlegame positions that emerge from these structures.
That means players are encouraged to understand:
- Typical pawn structures
- Piece activity and coordination
- Open files and diagonals
- Queenside expansion
- Dynamic compensation
- Long-term weaknesses
- The right moment to create counterplay
This approach is particularly useful because reversed-colour systems can produce positions that look strategically familiar but behave very differently because of the extra tempo.
A Lesson From Esipenko–Lagno
One of the examples highlighted in the review comes from Andrey Esipenko versus Kateryna Lagno in Russia in 2023.
After a reversed Benoni structure emerged, Black eventually found herself struggling to generate sufficient activity. White was able to develop comfortably, put pressure on the d4-pawn and prepare the queenside expansion with b3–b4.
The position illustrates an important strategic lesson: simply reaching a familiar structure does not guarantee that the familiar plan will work.
The value of the tempo—and who gets to use it effectively—can completely change the character of the position.
Black Can Fight Back
Sokolov does not present these systems as one-sided.
Another example, Kirill Shevchenko versus Pavel Eljanov, demonstrates how quickly the tables can turn. Black achieved a strong knight on c5, gained space and gradually took control of the position before converting the advantage.
This balance is one of the course's major strengths.
According to the ChessBase review, five of the eleven model games were won by White, five by Black and one ended in a draw. That makes the material less about proving that one side is better and more about understanding what each player should actually be trying to achieve.
Even the Best Players Can Get Lost
The strategic complexity of these positions is also demonstrated by a game between Ding Liren and Anish Giri at the 2023 Tata Steel Masters.
The resulting position was extraordinarily complicated, with both sides having numerous possible plans. Ding eventually outplayed Giri, only to lose control of the game later.
The lesson is important for club players: even at the highest level, an apparently equal middlegame can contain enormous practical difficulties.
Who Is This Course For?
Sokolov's latest course is best suited to intermediate and advanced players who already have some familiarity with the Benoni or Benko structures.
Players considering these systems with White will find ideas for exploiting the extra tempo, while Black players can learn how to meet reversed setups with active and dynamic play.
However, players looking for a detailed opening-repertoire course should look elsewhere. The emphasis here is firmly on understanding the middlegame rather than memorising opening variations.
The Verdict
Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol. 14 continues what has become one of Ivan Sokolov's defining strengths as a chess educator: explaining why a position should be played a certain way rather than simply showing what move to play.
The reversed Benoni, Benko and Blumenfeld structures provide an excellent laboratory for studying the relationship between time, space, activity and pawn structure.
For players who often reach a promising position after the opening but then struggle to formulate a plan, this type of strategic training could be particularly valuable.
The big takeaway is simple:
The opening may give you a position—but understanding the middlegame is what allows you to play it.
Source: ChessBase review by Hannes Langrock. ChessBlog.co.zw's article is an original summary and analysis based on the source material
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