Ponderchess / Openings
Play the guided film, or select a scene to pause and study its position.
Opening
The Benoni Defense in 3D
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5. Black accepts a space disadvantage for an asymmetrical, dynamic position with active pieces.
Rebuild the sequence yourself. The board responds to each move, and hints are available.
Click or drag to move · Arrow keys + Enter to play
Your turn · white to play
Select a piece, then its destination. Switch to 2D for a clear overhead view or rotate the 3D board to explore the position.
Benoni Defense: Woozle, move by move: d4 c5 d5 Nf6 Nc3 Qa5
The white pieces
Use the central majority, often with e4-e5, and keep Black's queenside play under control.
The black pieces
Play actively with ...b5, ...Re8 and pressure on e4. Passivity is fatal in the Benoni.
Look a little deeper · 01
In the Modern Benoni (3...e6 and ...exd5), Black gets a queenside pawn majority and White a central one.
Look a little deeper · 02
Black's dark-squared bishop on g7 and the ...b5 break are key sources of counterplay.
Benoni Defense: Woozle, move by move: d4 c5 d5 Nf6 Nc3 Qa5
Keyboard: Space pauses, the arrow keys step. Gold arrows are White's moves, violet are Black's, red rays are threats, green shows support, blue shows plans.
