ECO A56 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. d5+0.67

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense (A56), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. d5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.67).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.673. d5 d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3
  2. +0.253. e3 cxd4 4. exd4 d5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Nf3 Qb6
  3. +0.233. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 d5 6. e3 Nc6 7. cxd5 exd5

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6

All Benoni Defense variations (46)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. d5 for White, continuing d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3. White is slightly better (+0.67). The next best moves are 3. e3 (+0.25) and 3. Nf3 (+0.23).
Is the Benoni Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.67: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Benoni Defense?
A56. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).