Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, Mujannah Formation
4/4
1.d4c52.d5f5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, Mujannah Formation83k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
66%54k49%
12%9.9k53%
5.4%4.4k50%
2.3%1.9k47%
2.2%1.8k48%
2.1%1.7k52%
1.1%94853%
1%86148%
0.5%41648%
Famous games in this line312 master games
Seirawan, Yasser (2635) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2765)Vitiugov, Nikita (2694) – Sakaev, Konstantin (2626)Yermolinsky, Alex (2620) – Shabalov, Alexander (2620)Lputian, Smbat G (2590) – Tukmakov, Vladimir B (2565)Izoria, Zviad (2556) – Ehlvest, Jaan (2588)Perelshteyn, Eugene (2531) – Shabalov, Alexander (2606)Hansen, Curt (2618) – Danielsen, Henrik (2514)Berkes, Ferenc (2702) – Tu, Hoang Thong (2428)Heroes of this opening Seirawan, Yasser · Tukmakov, Vladimir B · Izoria, Zviad · Shabalov, Alexander
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. d5 f5
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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