Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
23,375 games: White 57.5% / Draw 4.0% / Black 38.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,85614K | ||
| 6,3516,351 | ||
| 1,1591,159 | ||
| 731731 | ||
| 719719 | ||
| 362362 | ||
| 114114 | ||
| 6363 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.03 The position is about equal
Best play: 8... Nfd7 9. Be2 dxe5 10. Nf3 O-O 11. O-O e4 12. Nxe4 Nf6 13. Nc3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation (ECO A66, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Benoni Defense: Pawn Storm Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. e5 (8 moves).
In 23,375 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 57.5%, Black 38.5% and 4.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…dxe5, in 59% 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: Mikenas Variation
8…Nfd7 scores best for Black: 46.0%, with Black winning 43.8% and White 51.8% of 6,351 games. The most played answer, 8…dxe5, scores lowest: 37.8% in 14K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 8…Nfd7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Mikenas Variation (A66)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-mikenas-variation