Benoni Defense
ECO A61 · Benoni Defense · aggressive · intermediate
The Benoni Defense (A61) is a aggressive chess opening in the Benoni Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6. Dynamic queenside counterplay. Asymmetric. Recommended for intermediate players.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6
About this opening
In the Benoni Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5), Black accepts a central space deficit in return for a queenside pawn majority and dynamic play, often reinforced by the ...g6 fianchetto. The sharp Modern Benoni and the more solid Czech Benoni are its main forms. Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov turned it into a fearsome counterattacking weapon.