Chess Openings Lab
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Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted

The Benoni Gambit Accepted is 1.d4 c5 2.dxc5, where White takes the c-pawn instead of advancing to d5. Black usually regains it with ...e6 and ...Bxc5 or with ...Qa5+, while White aims for a fast e4 and free development.

Moves
1.d4 c5 2.dxc5
ECO
A43
Engine
+0.11 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
6,350 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 2...e6 play 3.e4 Bxc5 4.Bd3 and Nf3, getting a big center while Black recovers the pawn.
  • Use Be3 to hit a bishop on c5 and gain a tempo, as in the third engine line.
  • Castle short and play Nc3, keeping the e4 pawn as White's main central asset.

Black

  • Recover the pawn with ...e6 and ...Bxc5, getting quick development and an eye on f2.
  • ...Qa5+ is another way to win it back, though it can expose the queen to Bd2 or Nc3.
  • Build a small center with ...d6 and ...e6, the Scheveningen-style shape the engine line reaches.

Plans and pawn structure

Material evens out quickly, so the game becomes about the center. White keeps e4 and develops with Bd3, Nf3 and castling, while Black sets up pawns on d6 and e6 with the bishop on c5 and the knight on e7. This structure is solid for Black, and the e4 pawn is White's main trump. White can try e5 or f4 later, and Black aims for ...Nc6 and a ...d5 or ...b5 break.

Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.11: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.11 2...e6 3.e4 Bxc5 4.Bd3 d6 5.Nf3
  2. +0.34 2...Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.e4 Nc6 5.Bf4
  3. +0.38 2...e5 3.Be3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.a3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

6,350 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.4%.

under 120052.4%
1200–159949.7%
1600–199948.2%
2000 and up49.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense2...Na6 · rare
  • Cormorant Gambit2...b6 · rare

How to play against it

Win the pawn back calmly with ...e6 and ...Bxc5. Do not bring the queen out early unless it gains time. Once material is even, develop with ...d6, ...Ne7 or ...Nf6, and castle. Watch for Be3 hitting the c5 bishop and keep a retreat square ready.

Questions

What are the moves of the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted?

The Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted starts 1.d4 c5 2.dxc5. Its ECO code is A43.

Is the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.11 at depth 20, which is level. In 6,350 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.4%. A quiet choice for White that avoids Benoni theory, and Black equalizes with straightforward development.

What is the main idea of the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted?

White captures on c5 instead of grabbing space with d5. Black usually recovers the pawn with ...e6 and ...Bxc5, then the game becomes a calm fight where White has e4 and Black a solid d6-e6 center.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e6, with Nf6 and e5 close behind. 2...e6 prepares ...Bxc5, regaining the pawn while developing the bishop to an active diagonal.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.