Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
128,480 games: White 53.1% / Draw 4.9% / Black 42.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 88,58589K | ||
| 30,64831K | ||
| 8,6748,674 | ||
| 523523 | ||
| 3434 | ||
| 1616 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.90 White is better
Best play: 8... Nfd7 9. a4 Na6 10. Nf3 Nb4 11. O-O a6 12. Bc4 O-O 13. Be3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Taimanov Variation (ECO A67, 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. Bb5+ (8 moves).
In 128,480 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.1%, Black 42.0% and 4.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…Nfd7, in 69% 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: Taimanov Variation
The most played answer, 8…Nfd7, also scores best for Black: 46.9%, with Black winning 44.3% and White 50.5% of 89K games. Of the main answers, 8…Bd7 scores lowest: 37.5%. 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: Taimanov Variation (A67)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-taimanov-variation