Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Benoni Defense: French Benoni

5/5
1.e4e62.d4c53.d5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: French Benoni2.4M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
42%989k45%
29%686k47%
11%268k47%
7.5%176k45%
2.9%68k47%
1.8%41k44%
1.5%35k46%
0.7%17k42%
0.5%12k41%
0.5%11k46%
Famous games in this line488 master games
Ivanchuk, Vassily (2709) – Kengis, Edvins (2570)20021–0Sokolov, Ivan (2645) – Andersson, Ulf (2630)19950–1Kovalenko, I. (2653) – Miezis, N. (2499)2015½–½Rogers, Ian (2558) – Kengis, Edvins (2589)20011–0Balashov, Yuri S (2600) – Kasparov, Garry (2545)1979½–½Mirzoev, Azer (2481) – Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2659)2011½–½Doric, Darko (2420) – Navara, David (2719)2006½–½Quinteros, Miguel Angel (2495) – Larsen, Bent (2630)19740–1
Heroes of this opening Ivanchuk, Vassily · Andersson, Ulf · Rogers, Ian · Larsen, Bent
Family
Benoni Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
A43
Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 c5 3. d5
Sharp
★ Read the guide: Benoni DefenseExplore all 61 Benoni Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Staunton Gambit1.d4 c5 2.d5 f5 3.e4Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense, Kingside Move Order1.d4 c5 2.d5 Nf6 3.Nf3Benoni Defense1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5
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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