Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit 2…cxd4 3. b4
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Statistics from Lichess
788 games: White 47.1% / Draw 14.7% / Black 38.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 139139 | ||
| 114114 | ||
| Tamarkin Countergambit | 111111 | |
| 109109 | ||
| 108108 | ||
| 6262 | ||
| 5757 | ||
| 2929 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.73 Black is better
Best play: 3... Nc6 4. b5 Qa5+ 5. c3 Qxb5 6. cxd4 e6 7. e4 Qa5+ 8. Bd2
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. Nf3 cxd4 3. b4 (3 moves).
In 788 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.1%, Black 38.2% and 14.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Nc6, in 18% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit, Tamarkin Countergambit.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 3. b4
3…d5 scores best for Black: 51.8%, with Black winning 41.2% and White 37.7% of 114 games. The most played, 3…Nc6, scores 42.1% in 139 games, and 3…e6 scores lowest: 41.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…Nc6.
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
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Benoni Defense: Zilbermints-Benoni Gambit (A43)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-zilbermints-benoni-gambit-2