for Black · advanced
Modern Benoni
6/6
1.d4Nf62.c4c53.d5e6
Black creates a queenside pawn majority and an asymmetric structure and seeks sharp piece play down the half-open e-file and long diagonal. It is a risky, double-edged defense.
Key ideas
- Create a queenside pawn majority and fianchetto to g7
- Push the ...b5 break to open lines on the queenside
- Use the half-open e-file and active pieces for counterplay
- Accept a space disadvantage for dynamic middlegame chances
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Modern Variation1.8M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
82%1.5M51%
9%163k45%
3.6%64k47%
1.7%31k43%
1.6%29k51%
1.3%23k46%
0.4%6.7k51%
0.2%3.0k49%
0.1%2.1k44%
0.1%2.0k43%
Famous games in this line9.2k master games
Mamedyarov, S. (2809) – Svidler, P. (2760)Ding Liren (2771) – So, W. (2792)So, W. (2752) – Nakamura, Hi (2788)So, W. (2767) – Mamedyarov, S. (2767)Morozevich, Alexander (2750) – Gashimov, Vugar (2758)Karpov, Anatoly (2770) – Kamsky, Gata (2735)Mamedyarov, S. (2747) – Li Chao2 (2751)Grischuk, A.. (2777) – Dubov, Daniil (2710)Heroes of this opening Mamedyarov, S. · So, W.
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Benoni Defense: Modern Variation, Snake Variation4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 Bd6Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 · 11 deeper linesBenoni Defense: Pawn Storm Variation4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 … · 4 deeper linesBenoni Defense: Mikenas Variation4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 …
Nearby lines in the family
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