Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
82,007 games: White 42.8% / Draw 5.0% / Black 52.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 19,99020K | ||
| 14,80115K | ||
| 11,58112K | ||
| 9,0739,073 | ||
| 4,2174,217 | ||
| 4,0214,021 | ||
| 3,4733,473 | ||
| 3,2553,255 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.63 White is slightly better
Best play: 3. Nc3 Nxc5 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 a6 6. Bf4 e6 7. Be2 b6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense (ECO A43, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted, reached after 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 Na6 (2 moves).
In 82,007 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.8%, Black 52.1% and 5.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Nf3, in 24% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense
3. e4 scores best for White: 50.1%, with White winning 47.6% and Black 47.4% of 9,073 games. The most played, 3. Nf3, scores 45.0% in 20K games, and 3. e3 scores lowest: 42.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 3. Nc3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense (A43)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-benoni-gambit-schlenker-defense