Chess opening · ECO A43
Benoni Defense: Old Benoni
1...c5 strikes at White's d-pawn on move one in the Old Benoni. White has to decide straight away: take on c5, push past with d5, or support the pawn. Each choice leads to a different kind of game, from open play where Black wins the pawn back to a closed center where both sides maneuver behind long pawn chains.
- Rank by weighted share
- #53 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 c5
- 1... c5The c-pawn attacks d4 before White has played c4 or Nf3. If White ignores it, Black can take on d4 and trade a wing pawn for a center pawn. The move also opens a path for the queen to a5.
Taking on c5
2.dxc5 wins a pawn for the moment, but Black has two easy ways back. 2...e6 clears the f8 bishop's path so it can recapture on c5. 2...Qa5+ gives check down the a5 to e1 diagonal, and after White blocks, the queen takes on c5.
If White tries to hang on with b4 after 2...e6, the queenside pawns get loose and Black can attack them with ...a5 or ...b6.
Pushing to d5
2.d5 gains space and takes c6 and e6 away from Black's knights. Black often replies 2...e5, then ...d6 and ...Be7, and the pawns lock into a chain. White often adds c4 and then prepares a queenside break with b4, while Black looks for ...f5 to hit e4.
After 2...e5 White also has the option of capturing en passant on e6, which opens the position instead of locking it.
The locked chain
2. d5 e5 3. e4 d6 4. Nc3 Be7
The center is shut with White pawns on d5 and e4 against Black's c5, d6 and e5. Play moves to the wings: Black prepares ...f5 to hit e4, while White adds c4 and expands on the queenside with a3 and b4.
Top replies by rating
dxc5 leads below 1400, but d5 overtakes it among players rated 1400 to 1599 and pulls well clear at 2000 and up, where dxc5 drops out of the top three.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | dxc5 31% | d5 22% | e3 16% |
| 1200–1399 | dxc5 33% | d5 22% | e3 10% |
| 1400–1599 | d5 30% | dxc5 28% | e3 10% |
| 1600–1799 | d5 41% | dxc5 22% | Nf3 10% |
| 1800–1999 | d5 46% | dxc5 15% | e3 15% |
| 2000 and up | d5 54% | e3 15% | Nf3 10% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.