Chessy
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted as White
After 1.d4 c5 2.dxc5, White has accepted the gambit and grabbed a pawn, but the position is still very balanced. Stockfish gives this +0.15, which is only a tiny edge for White. That means you should not rush — your goal is to keep the extra pawn safe, develop cleanly, and be ready for Black’s most natural replies. The drill below will train you to handle the opening with practical, grounded moves instead of guesswork.
Play the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted against the engine
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Create a free account →What this opening is really about
The Benoni Gambit Accepted is a practical test of whether White can keep the extra pawn and stay coordinated. Even though White has taken on c5, the position is not won and there is no need to force anything. The engine’s best move for Black is e6, and that is a good reminder that Black wants active piece play and quick development rather than slow manoeuvring. Your job is to stay calm, develop normally, and avoid giving back the advantage by moving the queen or bishops too casually.
The main replies you should know
The position after 2.dxc5 leads to several very common Black continuations, so it helps to recognise them in the drill. The most-played reply is Qa5+, followed by e6, Nc6, e5, Nf6, and b6. These are not all equal, and the database shows that some of them score better for White than others. In practical terms, you should be ready for checks, central pawn breaks, and quick development from Black almost immediately.
Which replies are the biggest problems
The database flags a few popular moves here as mistakes. Qa5+ is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns compared with the best move. Nc6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns, while b6 is the clearest of the listed mistakes and loses about 1.0 pawns. That tells you something useful: if Black does not choose the most accurate setup, White can keep the position comfortable and often come out a little better.
What the game statistics say
This exact position has been reached in 5,208,374 games in the Lichess database, so you are studying a very well-travelled tabiya. White wins 46.8%, draws 3.7%, and Black wins 49.5%. Those numbers fit the engine’s verdict: the opening is essentially level, and small practical details matter more than memorised lines. If you handle the position well, you are not trying to prove an attack — you are trying to play a sound, healthy opening and let Black make the first real concession.
Results across 5,208,374 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qa5+ | 1,452,968 | 48.9% |
| e6 | 1,408,915 | 43.7% |
| Nc6 | 963,057 | 47.4% |
| e5 | 921,285 | 45.9% |
| Nf6 | 133,685 | 44.7% |
| b6 | 112,441 | 52.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Benoni Gambit Accepted good for White?
It is playable, but not an opening where White should expect a big opening edge. Stockfish gives +0.15, which is dead level for practical purposes. Your aim is to keep the position solid and make Black work for counterplay.
What is the best move for Black after 1.d4 c5 2.dxc5?
The engine’s best move is e6. The listed continuation is e6 e4 Bxc5 Nf3, which shows Black aiming for quick development and active piece play.
What should I expect most often in this position?
The most-played continuation is Qa5+, and e6 is also very common. You should also be ready for Nc6, e5, Nf6, and b6, because all of those appear frequently in the database.
Which Black moves should I be alert for as mistakes?
Qa5+ is marked as an inaccuracy, Nc6 is also an inaccuracy, and b6 is the clearest of the listed mistakes. In each case, the engine prefers e6 instead.
How many games feature the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted?
Over 5 million Lichess games have reached the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted position. White wins 46.8%, Black wins 49.5%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.