ECO A44 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Semi-Benoni

1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 3. e4 d6

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

4. Nf3+1.09

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Semi-Benoni (A44), reached after 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 3. e4 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White. White is clearly better (+1.09).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.094. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nfd2 Be7 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8. a4 g6
  2. +1.054. Ne2 Nf6 5. Nd2 Be7 6. a4 O-O 7. Ng3 g6 8. Nc4 h5
  3. +1.044. a4 Nf6 5. Nd2 Be7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Ne2 Nh5 8. Nc4 Na6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Semi-Benoni?
After 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 3. e4 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nf3 for White, continuing Nf6 5. Nfd2 Be7 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8. a4 g6. White is clearly better (+1.09). The next best moves are 4. Ne2 (+1.05) and 4. a4 (+1.04).
Is the Benoni Defense: Semi-Benoni 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: Semi-Benoni?
A44. 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+).