Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Snail Variation
4/4
1.d4c52.d5Na6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Snail Variation7.6k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
47%3.5k55%
37%2.8k55%
4.4%33456%
4.4%33159%
3.3%24862%
1%7653%
0.7%5152%
0.6%4659%
0.5%4159%
0.3%2469%
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Na6
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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