Chess Openings·Benoni Defence, Modern Variation

Indian Defence

Benoni Defence, Modern Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6

Step through

10 / 10
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.

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 d5. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
10 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
31
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkb1r/pp3ppp/3p1n2/2pP4/8/2N5/PP2PPPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0 6

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

Nearby lines

first 5 moves shared

Benoni Defence…c4 c5 d5Benko Gambit…b5Budapest Gambit…e5Old Indian Defence…d6Catalan Opening…e6 g3Nimzo-Indian Defence…e6 Nc3 Bb4

Common questions

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

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6

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 10 moves it is White to move.