How to beat the Benoni Defense

Black accepts a space disadvantage for active piece play, a queenside majority and a strong g7 bishop. It's sharp, and players who choose it want a fight.

Three plans that work

1. Take the centre with e4 and f4

Big pawn centres (the Taimanov / Four Pawns ideas) plus a well-timed e5 break are the most dangerous plans for White.

2. Stop ...b5

a4 restricts Black's queenside expansion, which is their main source of counterplay.

3. Blockade on c4 and e4

Put a knight on c4 hitting d6, and Black's position becomes passive.

A line to play

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

The pitfall

Black's tactical shots on the long diagonal and on e4 punish loose play.

What the data says

In 152 recent games of the top 100 titled Lichess players featuring the Benoni Defense, they scored 67% on average. Players who use it most: GM NeverEnough (57%), GM ARM-777777 (58%), GM Trojanhorse2500 (83%), GM msb2 (73%), GM IVK88 (60%), FM GoFar (45%), GM Parakon1 (80%), GM nihalsarin2004 (89%).

Prepare against the actual player

Averages only go so far. A Benoni Defense player has their own pet variations and weak spots. Before your next game, get a free fingerprint of your opponent, or get the full prep report ($5): every variation they play, where they score worst, and a game plan for both colours.