ECO A43 · Benoni Defense

Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit

1. d4 c5 2. Nf3 cxd4 3. b4 e5

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

4. Nxe5−0.73

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit (A43), reached after 1. d4 c5 2. Nf3 cxd4 3. b4 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nxe5 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.73).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.734. Nxe5 Bxb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. Qb3 Qe7 7. a3 c2+ 8. Nc3 Qxe5
  2. −0.814. a3 Nc6 5. c3 d5 6. cxd4 e4 7. Ne5 Bd6 8. Nxc6 bxc6
  3. −0.994. c3 Qc7 5. a3 d5 6. Bb2 Be7 7. cxd4 e4 8. Ne5 f6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit?
After 1. d4 c5 2. Nf3 cxd4 3. b4 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nxe5 for White, continuing Bxb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. Qb3 Qe7 7. a3 c2+ 8. Nc3 Qxe5. Black is slightly better (−0.73). The next best moves are 4. a3 (−0.81) and 4. c3 (−0.99).
Is the Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.73: black 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: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit?
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+).