Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense, Kingside Move Order
5/5
1.d4c52.d5Nf63.Nf3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense, Kingside Move Order552k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
36%201k50%
31%172k50%
12%68k52%
0.8%4.2k46%
0.7%4.0k43%
0.4%2.2k45%
0.2%1.4k44%
0.2%1.2k48%
Famous games in this line6.3k master games
So, W. (2815) – Carlsen, M. (2832)Aronian, L. (2802) – Matlakov, M. (2728)Radjabov, Teimour (2788) – Bologan, Viktor (2732)Sokolov, Ivan (2670) – Topalov, Veselin (2813)Kramnik, Vladimir (2758) – Leko, Peter (2725)Duda, J. (2731) – Mamedyarov, S. (2747)Le, Quang Liem (2709) – Firouzja, Alireza (2759)Fressinet, Laurent (2700) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2764)Heroes of this opening Radjabov, Teimour · Topalov, Veselin · Duda, J. · Le, Quang Liem
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. Nf3
Sharp
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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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