Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
51,247 games: White 52.3% / Draw 4.0% / Black 43.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 41,76642K | ||
| 2,9712,971 | ||
| 1,7131,713 | ||
| 745745 | ||
| 672672 | ||
| 627627 | ||
| 611611 | ||
| 429429 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.33 White is better
Best play: 3. cxb6 Qxb6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. a3 Be7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Cormorant Gambit (ECO A43, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted, reached after 1. d4 c5 2. dxc5 b6 (2 moves).
In 51,247 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.3%, Black 43.7% and 4.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. cxb6, in 81% 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: Cormorant Gambit
The most played answer, 3. cxb6, also scores best for White: 54.8%, with White winning 52.7% and Black 43.2% of 42K games. Of the main answers, 3. Nf3 scores lowest: 53.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. cxb6.
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: Cormorant Gambit (A43)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-cormorant-gambit