Tree path 8 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Indian Defense › Normal Variation › Benoni Defense › Modern Variation › Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line › Benoni Defense: Classical Variation › Main Line
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line
Overview
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Main Line is a named branch in the Flank Openings group of chess theory, classified under ECO A73.
The Flank Openings group covers flank openings — systems that delay the central pawn break and instead develop pieces and pawns on the wings.
It begins with 17 plies and takes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
2 named variations grow from this line, including Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Full Line.
Together the deeper variations number 4 across the full subtree.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- A73
- Group
- Flank Openings (A)
- Plies
- 17
- Direct variations
- 2
- Total in subtree
- 4
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
150,896 games · White 47.4% / Draw 5.3% / Black 47.3%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Re8 | 63,153 | |
| a6 | 35,954 | |
| Bg4 | 34,739 | |
| Nbd7 | 6,927 | |
| Na6 | 6,544 | |
| b6 | 714 | |
| b5 | 641 | |
| h6 | 540 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:13:55
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.