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. 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: 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+).