Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense
4/4
1.d4c52.d5Nf6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense1.5M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
76%1.2M50%
16%249k52%
1.6%25k48%
0.8%12k47%
0.7%11k44%
0.6%9.4k51%
0.4%5.9k47%
0.3%3.9k47%
0.1%2.1k42%
Famous games in this line1.6k master games
Gelfand, Boris (2733) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2772)Aronian, Levon (2783) – Zvjaginsev, Vadim (2656)Grachev, Boris (2683) – Vitiugov, Nikita (2734)Robson, R. (2681) – Saric, Iv (2695)Dreev, A. (2623) – Saric, Iv (2695)Dreev, A. (2670) – Zvjaginsev, V. (2642)Sargissian, Gabriel (2611) – Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2679)Rakhmanov, Alexander (2593) – Zvjaginsev, Vadim (2688)Heroes of this opening Aronian, Levon · Saric, Iv · Zvjaginsev, V.
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6
Sharp
★ Read the guide: Benoni DefenseExplore all 61 Benoni Defense lines →Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Nearby lines in the family
From the archives
The name comes from Aaron Reinganum's 1825 book 'Ben-Oni' — Hebrew for 'son of sorrow'. Reinganum's own words give the reason: he sat over a chessboard whenever he wanted to take refuge from melancholy. Tal made the Modern Benoni a terror in the 1950s and 60s: give up the centre, then let every piece point at White's queenside like an accusation.
Study this opening