Chess Openings Lab
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Benoni Defense: Modern Variation

The Modern Variation starts 3...e6, which hits d5 at once and prepares ...exd5 to create the Modern Benoni structure. White usually develops Nc3 and recaptures with the c-pawn to keep a space edge, while Black wants queenside play and an active bishop on g7.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6
ECO
A60
Engine
+0.77 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,086 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 4.Nc3 is the main move: after ...exd5, cxd5 keeps the d5 wedge and opens the c4 square for White's pieces.
  • With Nf3 and Nd2, the knight heads for c4, where it presses the d6 pawn and supports a later e4.
  • Against ...b5 tricks, dxe6 and cxb5 break up Black's center and grab material, as the second engine line shows.

Black

  • ...exd5 followed by ...d6, ...g6 and ...Bg7 builds the standard Benoni setup with a queenside majority.
  • ...b5 is a sharp option against Nf3, offering a pawn for open files after cxb5 and ...a6.
  • If White plays Bf4, Black can close the center with ...d6 and ...e5, gaining a tempo on the bishop.

Plans and pawn structure

After 3...e6 White decides the structure. If White recaptures cxd5 after ...exd5, the game becomes a classic Benoni: White's e4 and e5 ideas against Black's ...a6, ...b5 and pressure from the g7 bishop. The knight route from f3 to d2 and c4 is White's best regrouping, hitting d6. Black wants rooks on e8 and b8 and the queen on c7 or e7. If White avoids the Benoni with Nf3 or Bf4, the center stays fluid and both sides finish development first.

Where the engine's main line heads: Benoni structure: White pawn on d5, Black pawns c5 and d6. White has a pawn on d5; Black has c5 and d6 and no e-pawn. White has more space, Black has a queenside majority and an open e-file.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.77: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.77 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6
  2. +0.65 4.Nf3 b5 5.dxe6 fxe6 6.cxb5 a6
  3. +0.50 4.Bf4 d6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Bd2 e4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,086 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.4%.

1200–159953.0%
1600–199953.3%
2000 and up44.9%

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

Where it goes next

  • King's Pawn Line4.Nc3 · 1,221 games
  • Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense4.Nc3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, Nc3 and the cxd5 recapture are the most natural way to claim space. Do not capture on e6 yourself without a reason, because ...fxe6 gives Black a solid central pawn mass. The exception is when Black has already played ...b5, as in the second engine line.

Questions

What are the moves of the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation?

The Benoni Defense: Modern Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. Its ECO code is A60.

Is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.77 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,086 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.4%. The most active Benoni choice for players who enjoy imbalanced positions; Black must accept a slightly passive d6 pawn in exchange for dynamic play.

What is the main idea of the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation?

Black attacks d5 with ...e6 to trade pawns and get a queenside majority. White keeps the d5 pawn with cxd5 and plays for a central break with e4 and e5, often with a knight on c4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Nf3 and Bf4 close behind. 4.Nc3 supports d5 so that after ...exd5 White can recapture with the c-pawn and keep the space edge.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.