ECO A71 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Bg5

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

8… a6+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack (A71), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… a6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.448… a6 9. a4 Bg4 10. Be2 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nbd7 12. O-O O-O 13. Qc2
  2. +0.568… h6 9. Bf4 a6 10. a4 Bg4 11. Be2 O-O 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3
  3. +0.838… Qe7 9. Nd2 h6 10. Bh4 O-O 11. Be2 g5 12. Bg3 Nbd7 13. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… a6 for Black, continuing 9. a4 Bg4 10. Be2 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Nbd7 12. O-O O-O 13. Qc2. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 8… h6 (+0.56) and 8… Qe7 (+0.83).
Is the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: 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: Classical Variation, Averbakh-Grivas Attack?
A71. 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+).