ECO A56 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Weenink Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5 e6

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

4. Be3−0.05

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Weenink Variation (A56), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5 e6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Be3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.05).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.054. Be3 Na6 5. a3 Bxc5 6. Bxc5 Nxc5 7. b4 Nce4 8. f3 Ng4
  2. −0.104. e3 Bxc5 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3 d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. O-O Nc6
  3. −0.124. g3 Bxc5 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O Nc6 8. cxd5 exd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Weenink Variation?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. dxc5 e6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Be3 for White, continuing Na6 5. a3 Bxc5 6. Bxc5 Nxc5 7. b4 Nce4 8. f3 Ng4. The position is roughly equal (−0.05). The next best moves are 4. e3 (−0.10) and 4. g3 (−0.12).
Is the Benoni Defense: Weenink Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.05: 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: Weenink Variation?
A56. 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+).