ECO A70 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, New York Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. h3

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

8… O-O+0.55

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, New York Variation (A70), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. h3, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… O-O for Black. White is slightly better (+0.55).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.558… O-O 9. Nd2 b6 10. a4 Na6 11. Be2 Nb4 12. O-O Re8 13. Re1
  2. +0.918… Nbd7 9. Bd3 a6 10. a4 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 Ne5 13. Nxe5
  3. +0.958… a6 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Bd3 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 Ne5 13. Nxe5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, New York Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. h3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… O-O for Black, continuing 9. Nd2 b6 10. a4 Na6 11. Be2 Nb4 12. O-O Re8 13. Re1. White is slightly better (+0.55). The next best moves are 8… Nbd7 (+0.91) and 8… a6 (+0.95).
Is the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, New York Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.55: 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, New York Variation?
A70. 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+).