Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, Schmid Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
73,991 games: White 51.4% / Draw 4.9% / Black 43.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 59,63260K | ||
| 5,2595,259 | ||
| 3,3443,344 | ||
| 1,6211,621 | ||
| 1,2501,250 | ||
| 1,0071,007 | ||
| 334334 | ||
| 298298 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.70 White is better
Best play: 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Bc4 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. a4 Nc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, Schmid Variation (ECO A43, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, reached after 1. d4 c5 2. d5 d6 3. Nc3 g6 (3 moves).
In 73,991 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.4%, Black 43.7% and 4.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. e4, 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: Old Benoni, Schmid Variation
The most played answer, 4. e4, also scores best for White: 54.6%, with White winning 52.1% and Black 42.9% of 60K games. Of the main answers, 4. Nf3 scores lowest: 52.9%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. Nf3.
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: Old Benoni, Schmid Variation (A43)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-old-benoni-schmid-variation