Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O
9… a6+0.64
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line (A73), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… a6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.64).
Top engine moves
- +0.649… a6 10. a4 Bg4 11. Bf4 Qe7 12. Nd2 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Nh5 14. Be3
- +0.659… Bg4 10. Bf4 a6 11. a4 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Qe7 13. e5 dxe5 14. d6
- +0.669… Re8 10. Nd2 Nbd7 11. Re1 a6 12. a4 Ne5 13. Nf1 Nfg4 14. h3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… a6 for Black, continuing 10. a4 Bg4 11. Bf4 Qe7 12. Nd2 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Nh5 14. Be3. White is slightly better (+0.64). The next best moves are 9… Bg4 (+0.65) and 9… Re8 (+0.66).
Is the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.64: 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, Main Line?
A73. 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+).