Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. e5
8… Nfd7+0.29
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation (A66), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… Nfd7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).
Top engine moves
- +0.298… Nfd7 9. Ne4 dxe5 10. Nd6+ Ke7 11. Nxc8+ Qxc8 12. Nf3 Re8 13. Bc4
- +0.328… dxe5 9. fxe5 Nfd7 10. e6 fxe6 11. dxe6 Qe7 12. Nd5 Qxe6+ 13. Qe2
- +0.918… Bg4 9. Be2 Bxe2 10. Ngxe2 Nfd7 11. Nb5 dxe5 12. Nd6+ Ke7 13. Ne4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… Nfd7 for Black, continuing 9. Ne4 dxe5 10. Nd6+ Ke7 11. Nxc8+ Qxc8 12. Nf3 Re8 13. Bc4. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 8… dxe5 (+0.32) and 8… Bg4 (+0.91).
Is the Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: the position is roughly equal. 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: Mikenas Variation?
A66. 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+).