Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit
4/4
1.d4c52.dxc5b6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit50k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
82%41k55%
5.8%2.9k53%
3.3%1.7k55%
1.5%72556%
1.3%64449%
1.2%61649%
1.2%60149%
0.8%41652%
0.7%35953%
0.7%32842%
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 b6
GambitFianchettoSharp
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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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