Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bb5+
8… Nfd7+0.77
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation (A67), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bb5+, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… Nfd7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.77).
Top engine moves
- +0.778… Nfd7 9. Be2 Qh4+ 10. g3 Qe7 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O Nb6 13. a4
- +1.048… Nbd7 9. e5 dxe5 10. fxe5 Nh5 11. e6 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qh4+ 13. g3
- +1.078… Bd7 9. e5 Nh5 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Bxd7 Qxd7 12. O-O Na6 13. Ne4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Bb5+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… Nfd7 for Black, continuing 9. Be2 Qh4+ 10. g3 Qe7 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O Nb6 13. a4. White is slightly better (+0.77). The next best moves are 8… Nbd7 (+1.04) and 8… Bd7 (+1.07).
Is the Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.77: 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: Taimanov Variation?
A67. 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+).