Ponderchess / Openings

Benoni Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5. Black accepts a space disadvantage for an asymmetrical, dynamic position with active pieces.

Watch it in 3D

3D lesson · 8 steps · 40 seconds

The Benoni Defense in 3D

Benoni Defense: Woozle, move by move: d4 c5 d5 Nf6 Nc3 Qa5

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Key ideas

In the Modern Benoni (3...e6 and ...exd5), Black gets a queenside pawn majority and White a central one.
Black's dark-squared bishop on g7 and the ...b5 break are key sources of counterplay.

Plans for White

Use the central majority, often with e4-e5, and keep Black's queenside play under control.

Plans for Black

Play actively with ...b5, ...Re8 and pressure on e4. Passivity is fatal in the Benoni.

Main variations of the Benoni Defense

Modern Variation1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. The Modern Benoni: Black challenges d5 at once, and after the exchange on d5 White has a central majority against Black's queenside majority.

Puzzles from the Benoni Defense

Tactics that came up in real games played with this opening, from easiest to hardest.

Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 1176

Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.

Show the solution

18...Qxd2 19.Rxd2 Rxd2

Solve it on the board →

Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 1694

Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.

Show the solution

19...Rfe8 20.Ba3 Bxa1

Solve it on the board →

Black to move · 3 moves · Rating 2438

Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.

Show the solution

18...Qxc2+ 19.Rd2 Nc1+ 20.Kf3 Qf5+

Solve it on the board →

Ponderchess / Openings

Benoni Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5. Black accepts a space disadvantage for an asymmetrical, dynamic position with active pieces.

Watch it in 3D

3D lesson · 8 steps · 40 seconds

The Benoni Defense in 3D

Benoni Defense: Woozle, move by move: d4 c5 d5 Nf6 Nc3 Qa5

Preparing your chess set…

Click or drag to move · Arrow keys + Enter to play

A43 Benoni Defense: Old Benoni

What players choose here

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All 66 lines

Preparing your opening…

Key ideas

In the Modern Benoni (3...e6 and ...exd5), Black gets a queenside pawn majority and White a central one.
Black's dark-squared bishop on g7 and the ...b5 break are key sources of counterplay.

Plans for White

Use the central majority, often with e4-e5, and keep Black's queenside play under control.

Plans for Black

Play actively with ...b5, ...Re8 and pressure on e4. Passivity is fatal in the Benoni.

Main variations of the Benoni Defense

Modern Variation1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. The Modern Benoni: Black challenges d5 at once, and after the exchange on d5 White has a central majority against Black's queenside majority.

Puzzles from the Benoni Defense

Tactics that came up in real games played with this opening, from easiest to hardest.

Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 1176

Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.

Show the solution

18...Qxd2 19.Rxd2 Rxd2

Solve it on the board →

Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 1694

Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.

Show the solution

19...Rfe8 20.Ba3 Bxa1

Solve it on the board →

Black to move · 3 moves · Rating 2438

Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.

Show the solution

18...Qxc2+ 19.Rd2 Nc1+ 20.Kf3 Qf5+

Solve it on the board →

Preparing your chess set…

Click or drag to move · Arrow keys + Enter to play

A43 Benoni Defense: Old Benoni

What players choose here

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