ECO A43 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense

1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6

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

3. Nc3+0.67

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense (A43), reached after 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.67).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.673. Nc3 Nxc5 4. e4 b6 5. Be3 Bb7 6. f3 e6 7. Qd2 Be7
  2. +0.663. e4 Nxc5 4. Nc3 b6 5. Be3 Bb7 6. f3 e6 7. Qd2 Be7
  3. +0.453. Qd4 Qa5+ 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 e6 6. a3 Bxc5 7. Qh4 Bb4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense?
After 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White, continuing Nxc5 4. e4 b6 5. Be3 Bb7 6. f3 e6 7. Qd2 Be7. White is slightly better (+0.67). The next best moves are 3. e4 (+0.66) and 3. Qd4 (+0.45).
Is the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker 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: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense?
A43. 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+).