Tree path 5 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Indian Defense › Normal Variation › Benoni Defense › Vulture Defense
A56

Vulture Defense

Open in Lichess
Share: X Reddit Telegram Facebook
Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

Vulture Defense is a specific line in the Flank Openings family (ECO A56), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Flank Openings group covers flank openings — systems that delay the central pawn break and instead develop pieces and pawns on the wings.

Play reaches this position via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 Ne4, after 6 plies of opening development.

The line refines Benoni Defense, which traces back to the root opening Queen's Pawn Game.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
A56
Group
Flank Openings (A)
Plies
6
Parent
Benoni Defense

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

64,492 games · White 42.7% / Draw 5.5% / Black 51.8%

MovesGamesW / D / B
f320,590
Qc214,059
Nc38,739
Nf37,793
Nd24,908
Qd34,184
e31,270
g3939

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:17:07

Write a description

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.