Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
1,477 games: White 42.1% / Draw 5.2% / Black 52.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 813813 | ||
| 538538 | ||
| 6464 | ||
| 1717 | ||
| 1212 | ||
| 77 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 55 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.52 Black is slightly better
Best play: 2... cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Qb2 a5 6. bxa5 Ne4 7. Nfd2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit (ECO A43, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, reached after 1. d4 c5 2. b4 (2 moves).
In 1,477 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.1%, Black 52.7% and 5.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…cxd4, in 55% 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: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit
The most played answer, 2…cxd4, also scores best for Black: 57.1%, with Black winning 54.6% and White 40.3% of 813 games. Of the main answers, 2…cxb4 scores lowest: 54.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 2…cxd4.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit (A43)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-zilbermints-benoni-gambit