Tree path 6 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Indian Defense › Normal Variation › Benoni Defense › Classical Variation › Traditional Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game A40
- Indian Defense A45
- Normal Variation A50
- Benoni Defense A61
- Classical Variation A70
- Traditional Variation A70 you are here
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation
Overview
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Traditional Variation is a named branch in the Flank Openings group of chess theory, classified under ECO A70.
The Flank Openings group covers flank openings — systems that delay the central pawn break and instead develop pieces and pawns on the wings.
It is reached after 15 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Be2.
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, Argentine Counterattack, Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense.
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
- A70
- Group
- Flank Openings (A)
- Plies
- 15
- Direct variations
- 2
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
142,102 games · White 47.0% / Draw 5.3% / Black 47.7%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| O-O | 121,485 | |
| Bg4 | 11,229 | |
| a6 | 7,059 | |
| Nbd7 | 1,132 | |
| Na6 | 274 | |
| Qe7 | 232 | |
| Qa5 | 183 | |
| Kf8 | 123 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:03:50
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