ECO A43 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Hawk Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 c4

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

4. e4+0.99

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Hawk Variation (A43), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. e4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.99).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.994. e4 Nxe4 5. Bxc4 g6 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 Nf6 8. h3 Bg7
  2. +0.934. Nc3 b5 5. e4 Qa5 6. a4 b4 7. Nb5 a6 8. Nbd4 Qc7
  3. +0.874. Qd4 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 b5 6. e4 e6 7. Bd2 b4 8. Qxc4 Ba6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Hawk Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. d5 c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. e4 for White, continuing Nxe4 5. Bxc4 g6 6. O-O d6 7. Re1 Nf6 8. h3 Bg7. White is clearly better (+0.99). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+0.93) and 4. Qd4 (+0.87).
Is the Benoni Defense: Hawk Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.99: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Benoni Defense: Hawk Variation?
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+).