Benoni Defense
Black challenges the d-pawn from the flank, inviting White to advance. The resulting imbalance gives White space and Black targets for counterplay; compare central expansion with queenside activity.
Your plan as White
Use central space and prepare an e5 break while restraining Black's queenside counterplay.
The opponent’s plan
Use the pawn imbalance to create queenside activity and pressure against White's center.
Watch out: Space does not decide the game by itself; watch the opponent's prepared pawn breaks.
Opening game…
Practice this line as White.
Play three moves from the line you watched. Hints draw an arrow on the board. Complete a fresh attempt without hints or retries to pass.
Sign in to practiceComplete all 6 practices across both colors for one lesson completion. Replaying a completed lesson earns no additional leaderboard completion.
Name, background and sources
The Benoni name is linked to Aaron Reinganum's 1825 book, Ben-Oni. The modern family developed through later practice rather than one isolated invention.
Read the opening background on Chess.com ↗Lichess opening names and reference lines (CC0)
ChessSum provides original explanatory notes. Related lines are labeled separately. Reference lines illustrate ideas; they are not a claim that every other legal move is wrong.
Watch how the center and piece development change. Each arrow previews the next move.