The Benoni Defense: What It Is and How to Use It in Chess

Chess openings: What is the Benoni Defense?

Take your opening knowledge to the next level with the Benoni Defense!

Learning openings requires understanding chess notation, the system for naming pieces and moves. Get a refresher on chess notation here!

The Benoni Defense gets its name from the Hebrew בֶּן־אוֹנִי (Ben-Oni), meaning “son of sorrow,” which was used in the title of an 1825 book on defenses against gambit moves. Over the course of the 19th century, the name “Benoni” gradually became attached to the opening, although the move sequence used back then was different from the modern Benoni Defense.
It’s an aggressive, imbalanced, counterattacking opening for Black.
While sound, the Benoni isn’t a grandmaster staple and is more popular among lower-level players.

Here are the moves for the Benoni Defense:

Note that the Benoni Defense can be reached by several move orders, including 1. d4 c5, sometimes known as the Old Benoni.

If you’re an attacking player on the hunt for a dynamic opening, try the Benoni Defense!

If you’re looking for more openings, check out our guide featuring over 30 options for every skill level!