Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Old Benoni
4/4
1.d4c52.d5e5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Old Benoni1.1M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
45%490k49%
24%262k50%
23%244k46%
5.7%62k55%
0.7%7.1k48%
0.6%6.4k48%
0.3%3.7k51%
0.3%3.5k52%
0.1%1.3k46%
0.1%86347%
Famous games in this line2.3k master games
Aronian, L. (2767) – Caruana, F. (2822)Dubov, Daniil (2720) – Ponkratov, P. (2641)Sokolov, Ivan (2670) – Morozevich, Alexander (2610)Sarana, A. (2655) – Nihal, Sarin (2610)Hertneck, Gerald (2605) – Jussupow, Artur (2655)Sakaev, Konstantin (2648) – Bezgodov, Alexei (2576)Wang Hao (2713) – Liu Qingnan (2510)Peralta, Fernando (2574) – Granda Zuniga, Julio E (2646)Heroes of this opening Aronian, L. · Dubov, Daniil · Nihal, Sarin · Hertneck, Gerald
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A44
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5
Sharp
★ Read the guide: Benoni DefenseExplore all 61 Benoni Defense lines →Keep exploring
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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.
Study this opening