Benoni Defense A56
A — Flank openings · Family: Benoni Defense
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5
The Benoni Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 in the Modern line) is Black's dynamic counterpunch: rather than equalizing quietly, Black accepts a spatial deficit and plays for piece pressure against White's stretched center. Mikhail Tal used it to demolish opponents in his heyday, and it remains a natural choice in must-win games.
The Modern Benoni with ...exd5, ...d6, ...g6 and ...Bg7 produces the classic asymmetrical middlegame: White's space and queenside play (b4-b5, c5-levers) versus Black's active pieces and the thematic ...f5-f4 kingside storm. White's quieter alternatives exist, but a fighting game is nearly guaranteed.
Play through the moves on the board above, explore the variations tree below — click any move of any branch — then test yourself against the engine from the position you picked.
- Position after 4 half-moves — White to move.
- Material is balanced.
- Family “Benoni Defense” contains 61 recorded variation(s) here.
Variations tree of the Benoni Defense family
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Variations of this family
| Name | ECO | Main line length |
|---|---|---|
| Benoni Defense: Franco-Sicilian Hybrid | A40 | 14 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted | A43 | 3 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense | A43 | 4 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense | A43 | 4 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense, Kingside Move Order | A43 | 5 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Benoni-Staunton Gambit | A43 | 5 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit | A43 | 4 plies |
| Benoni Defense: French Benoni | A43 | 5 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Hawk Variation | A43 | 6 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Old Benoni | A43 | 2 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Old Benoni | A43 | 3 plies |
| Benoni Defense: Old Benoni | A43 | 4 plies |
Master games in this line
Classic games that followed this exact move order:
- Vladimir Sergeevich Saigin vs Mikhail Tal (1954, 0-1, 29 moves)
Related puzzles
Lichess tactics played in this opening — solve them right on the board:
Related openings
Nearby ECO codes in the A — Flank openings volume — compare the move orders: