Benoni Defense
ECO A43-A79intermediate
The Modern Benoni — 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 — manufactures the most clear-cut imbalance in opening theory: Black gets a 2-vs-1 queenside pawn majority and the half-open e-file; White gets a protected passed d-pawn and a central majority ready to roll with e4-e5. Every Benoni game is a race between Black's ...b5 expansion and dark-square play (the g7 bishop again) and White's central break. Tal's sacrificial masterpieces made it famous; it remains the imbalance-lover's defense.
Main line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 Bd6 6.e4 O-O 7.Nf3 Re8
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 42 | 50% | 2.4% | 47.6% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 |
| 600-800 | 860 | 45.6% | 3.5% | 50.9% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 |
| 800-1000 | 25 | 48% | 0% | 52% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 |
| 1000-1200 | 39 | 46.2% | 2.6% | 51.3% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 |
| 1200-1400 | 143 | 50.3% | 0.7% | 49% | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 |
Most played continuations (600-800 rating)
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4:
- g6 — played 29.5% of the time (White wins 47.6%, draws 2.4%, Black wins 50%)
- d5 — played 19.5% of the time (White wins 43.5%, draws 3.6%, Black wins 53%)
- Nc6 — played 13.8% of the time (White wins 32.8%, draws 3.4%, Black wins 63.9%)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Benoni sound?
It walks a finer line than the Nimzo or Grünfeld — White's sharpest tries (the Taimanov 8.Bb5+ and Four Pawns setups) demand precise knowledge, which is why many players enter the Benoni only via move orders that avoid them (waiting for Nf3 before ...c5). Within those move orders, it is fully respectable and ferociously double-edged.
What are the typical plans for both sides in the Benoni?
Black: ...Re8, ...g6/...Bg7, ...a6 and ...b5, queenside pawn storm, and the thematic ...Ne5 or exchange sacrifices on e4/f3 if White overextends. White: e4, Nd2-c4 or f4 with e5 breaks, kingside space, and using the d5 passer as an endgame trump. Both sides attack — nobody defends in a Benoni.
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