Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Benoni Defense: Woozle
6/6
1.d4c52.d5Nf63.Nc3Qa5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Benoni Defense: Woozle14k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
59%8.4k54%
15%2.1k45%
11%1.6k53%
4.4%63051%
3.9%55549%
1.4%20544%
1.4%20154%
1.2%16758%
1.1%15655%
0.6%9261%
Famous games in this line45 master games
Fridman, Daniel (2621) – Bauer, Christian (2634)Jussupow, Artur (2583) – Bauer, Christian (2634)Navara, D. (2725) – Munoz Pantoja, M. (2473)Granda Zuniga, J. (2656) – Munoz Pantoja, M. (2497)Sethuraman, S. (2640) – Munoz Pantoja, M. (2441)Bellahcene, B. (2545) – Munoz Pantoja, M. (2513)Vovk, Y. (2617) – Munoz Pantoja, M. (2441)Grigoryan, K2. (2544) – Munoz Pantoja, M. (2471)Heroes of this opening Bauer, Christian · Navara, D. · Granda Zuniga, J. · Munoz Pantoja, M.
- Family
- Benoni Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A43
- Line
- 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Qa5
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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