Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense
4/4
1.d4c52.dxc5Na6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense67k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
24%16k45%
19%13k43%
14%9.3k45%
9.9%6.6k49%
5.7%3.8k42%
4.6%3.1k44%
4.5%3.0k41%
4.2%2.9k48%
4.1%2.7k42%
2.7%1.8k48%
Famous games in this line76 master games
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2674) – Heberla, Bartlomiej (2465)Bauer, Christian (2528) – Bezold, Michael (2503)Kosic, Dragan (2510) – Cabrilo, Goran (2485)Roesch, Arnd (2350) – Jussupow, Artur (2640)Kurajica, Bojan (2525) – Skembris, Spyridon (2415)Drazic, Sinisa (2493) – Velickovic, Sasa (2423)Muco, Fatos (2415) – Velimirovic, Dragoljub (2500)Petukhov, Dmitry (2355) – Kovchan, Alexander (2520)Heroes of this opening Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar · Kurajica, Bojan · Drazic, Sinisa · Kovchan, Alexander
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6
GambitSharp
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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.
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