Benoni Defense: Modern Variation
ECO A60 · Benoni Defense · aggressive · intermediate
The Benoni Defense: Modern Variation (A60) is a aggressive chess opening in the Benoni Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6. Flexible move order. Often transposes. Recommended for intermediate players.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6
About this opening
The Modern Benoni (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6) is the sharpest form of the defense: after ...exd5 and ...d6, Black obtains a queenside pawn majority and the powerful g7 fianchetto bishop, while White holds a central space advantage. Black's ...b5 break plan faces White's e4-e5 advance. Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov turned it into a fearsome counterattacking weapon.