♞Chess Trainer
A60Play as White2 lines to train

Learn the Modern Benoni

An imbalanced defense where Black concedes central space for queenside activity and dark-square play. White aims to use the d5 wedge to restrict Black while preparing central expansion.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5

1.d41…Nf62.c42…c53.d53…e64.Nc34…exd55.cxd5

The idea

Why this opening works

The Modern Benoni gives White a clear route to use the d5 wedge to restrict Black while preparing central expansion. Its recurring positions revolve around the d5 wedge, queenside majority, and dynamic imbalance, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 7 positions

  1. Position 1 of 7

    1.d4

    d2 → d4

    d4 begins the Modern Benoni plan: use the d5 wedge to restrict Black while preparing central expansion.

  2. Position 2 of 7

    2.c4

    c2 → c4

    c4 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

  3. Position 3 of 7

    3.d5

    d4 → d5

    d5 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  4. Position 4 of 7

    4.Nc3

    b1 → c3

    Nc3 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  5. Position 5 of 7

    5.cxd5

    c4 → d5

    cxd5 clarifies the tension while improving piece activity or pawn structure for the next phase.

  6. Position 6 of 7

    4.cxb5

    c4 → b5

    cxb5 clarifies the tension while improving piece activity or pawn structure for the next phase.

  7. Position 7 of 7

    5.bxa6

    b5 → a6

    bxa6 clarifies the tension while improving piece activity or pawn structure for the next phase.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5
Line 21. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6

Quick answers

Modern Benoni questions

What is the Modern Benoni?

An imbalanced defense where Black concedes central space for queenside activity and dark-square play. White aims to use the d5 wedge to restrict Black while preparing central expansion. The Modern Benoni gives White a clear route to use the d5 wedge to restrict Black while preparing central expansion. Its recurring positions revolve around the d5 wedge, queenside majority, and dynamic imbalance, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the Modern Benoni?

This trainer starts with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Modern Benoni good to learn as White?

It can be a useful part of a White repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

D06Queen's GambitWhite offers a pawn to gain central control. A cornerstone of 1.d4 play.1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Bd3D00London SystemA flexible system for White. Easy to learn, hard to refute.1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3E60King's Indian DefenseHypermodern defense letting White build a center, then counterattacking.1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Modern Benoni from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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