ECO A43 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Old Benoni

1. d4 c5

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

2. d5+0.70

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni (A43), reached after 1. d4 c5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. d5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.702. d5 Nf6 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O
  2. +0.232. e4 cxd4 3. Nf3 e5 4. c3 Nf6 5. Nxe5 Nc6 6. Nxc6 dxc6
  3. +0.212. dxc5 e6 3. Nc3 Bxc5 4. e4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bb5 Qc7

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 c5 2. d5
  • 1. d4 c5 2. d5 d6
  • 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni?
After 1. d4 c5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. d5 for White, continuing Nf6 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 g6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.70). The next best moves are 2. e4 (+0.23) and 2. dxc5 (+0.21).
Is the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.70: 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: Old 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+).