Benoni Defense: Snail Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
8,221 games: White 53.9% / Draw 3.8% / Black 42.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,7723,772 | ||
| 3,1183,118 | ||
| 411411 | ||
| 342342 | ||
| 266266 | ||
| 8080 | ||
| 6161 | ||
| 4646 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.06 White is better
Best play: 3. e4 d6 4. c4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 Nf6 7. Nf3 Nc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Snail Variation (ECO A43, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, reached after 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Na6 (2 moves).
In 8,221 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.9%, Black 42.3% and 3.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. c4, in 46% 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: Snail Variation
The most played answer, 3. c4, also scores best for White: 55.6%, with White winning 53.6% and Black 42.5% of 3,772 games. Of the main answers, 3. e4 scores lowest: 55.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 3. 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: Snail Variation (A43)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-snail-variation