Chess Openings·Benoni Defence, Classical Variation

Indian Defence

Benoni Defence, Classical Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O

Step through

16 / 16
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.
  11. 6.
  13. 7.
  15. 8.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

Instead of copying the centre, the reply comes from the side. Both kings come under fire early, so one slip decides it. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4 · d5. 2 pieces have left the board. Black has castled.

The position

Length
16 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
40
Minor pieces out
White 3 · Black 2
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQ
FEN
rnbq1rk1/pp3pbp/3p1np1/2pP4/4P3/2N2N2/PP2BPPP/R1BQK2R w KQ - 3 9

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  2. 1…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  3. 2.c4White: Pawn c2→c4
  4. 2…c5Black: Pawn c7→c5
  5. 3.d5White: Pawn d4→d5
  6. 3…e6Black: Pawn e7→e6
  7. 4.Nc3White: Knight b1→c3
  8. 4…exd5Black: Pawn e6→d5 (capture)
  9. 5.cxd5White: Pawn c4→d5 (capture)
  10. 5…d6Black: Pawn d7→d6
  11. 6.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  12. 6…g6Black: Pawn g7→g6
  13. 7.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  14. 7…Bg7Black: Bishop f8→g7
  15. 8.Be2White: Bishop f1→e2
  16. 8…O-OBlack: King e8→g8 (castling)

Nearby lines

first 12 moves shared

Benoni Defence, Fianchetto Variation…g3 Bg7 Bg2Benoni Defence, Modern Variation…exd5 cxd5 d6Benoni Defence, Four Pawns Attack…e4 g6 f4Benoni Defence…c4 c5 d5Benko Gambit…b5Budapest Gambit…e5

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Benoni Defence, Classical Variation?

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Indian Defence — 1.d4 Nf6, hitting the centre later instead of occupying it now.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 16 moves it is White to move.