Benoni Defense: Modern Variation, Snake Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
113,538 games: White 52.4% / Draw 3.9% / Black 43.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 72,90473K | ||
| 20,72021K | ||
| 11,17411K | ||
| 5,9825,982 | ||
| 547547 | ||
| 504504 | ||
| 435435 | ||
| 402402 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 3, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.23 White is better
Best play: 6. e4 O-O 7. Nf3 Re8 8. Be2 Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Rxe4 10. O-O Re8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Modern Variation, Snake Variation (ECO A60, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 Bd6 (5 moves).
In 113,538 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.4%, Black 43.7% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. e4, in 64% 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: Modern Variation, Snake Variation
6. Nf3 scores best for White: 55.2%, with White winning 53.1% and Black 42.6% of 21K games. The most played, 6. e4, scores 54.2% in 73K games, and 6. g3 scores lowest: 53.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. e4.
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: Modern Variation, Snake Variation (A60)”. Lichess data as of 3 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-modern-variation-snake-variation