Benoni Defense: Woozle
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Statistics from Lichess
19,320 games: White 49.9% / Draw 4.2% / Black 45.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 11,62712K | ||
| 2,4472,447 | ||
| 2,2612,261 | ||
| 972972 | ||
| 718718 | ||
| 345345 | ||
| 231231 | ||
| 211211 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.49 White is better
Best play: 4. Bd2 d6 5. e4 g6 6. f4 Bg7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Bc4 Qd8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Woozle (ECO A43, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense, reached after 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Qa5 (3 moves).
In 19,320 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.9%, Black 45.9% and 4.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Bd2, in 60% 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: Woozle
The most played answer, 4. Bd2, also scores best for White: 53.8%, with White winning 51.6% and Black 44.1% of 12K games. Of the main answers, 4. e4 scores lowest: 45.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. Bd2.
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: Woozle (A43)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-woozle