ECO A43 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit

1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 b6

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

3. cxb6+1.09

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit (A43), reached after 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. cxb6 for White. White is clearly better (+1.09).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.093. cxb6 Qxb6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. a3 Be7
  2. +0.813. e4 bxc5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nf3 a6 6. Bg5 Qb6 7. Qd2 Nc6
  3. +0.813. Nc3 bxc5 4. Nf3 e6 5. e4 a6 6. Bg5 Qb6 7. Qd2 d6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit?
After 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. cxb6 for White, continuing Qxb6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. a3 Be7. White is clearly better (+1.09). The next best moves are 3. e4 (+0.81) and 3. Nc3 (+0.81).
Is the Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.09: white is clearly 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: Cormorant Gambit?
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+).