Flank openings

Benoni Defense

1.d4 c5

The Benoni Defense starts with 1.d4 c5 and is catalogued under ECO A43, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 61 lines inside it, grouped into 47 named variations.

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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.d4

    Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.

    Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.

  2. 1…c5

    Challenges White’s d4-pawn from the flank at once.

    Idea: Trade space for an asymmetrical pawn structure and active counterplay.

  3. 2.d5

    Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2…e5

    Advances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  5. 3.e4

    Advances to e4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  6. 3…d6

    Advances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Benoni Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

23 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Benoni Defense.