ECO A43 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: French Benoni

1. e4 e6 2. d4 c5 3. d5

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

3… Nf6+0.56

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: French Benoni (A43), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 c5 3. d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.56).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.563… Nf6 4. Nc3 d6 5. Nf3 exd5 6. exd5 Be7 7. Bd3 Na6 8. O-O
  2. +0.783… d6 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. c4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. O-O
  3. +0.793… a6 4. d6 b6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Nc3 Bb7 7. Bf4 g6 8. h4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: French Benoni?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 c5 3. d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nf6 for Black, continuing 4. Nc3 d6 5. Nf3 exd5 6. exd5 Be7 7. Bd3 Na6 8. O-O. White is slightly better (+0.56). The next best moves are 3… d6 (+0.78) and 3… a6 (+0.79).
Is the Benoni Defense: French Benoni a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.56: 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: French Benoni?
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+).