Chessy
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense for Black
After 1.d4 c5 2.dxc5 Na6, White has taken the pawn, but Black is already asking a direct question of it. This drill is about staying calm, meeting White’s most common replies, and using the engine’s preferred continuation to keep the position under control. The numbers show that White has the better of it here, so your job is not to pretend this is equal — it is to understand the practical defence and make White work for every move.
Play the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is really asking of you
This opening gives White a temporary extra pawn, but Black gets quick piece activity and immediate pressure against the centre and the c-pawn. In this exact position, Stockfish rates it +0.78, a clear advantage for White. That means you are worse here, so the right mindset is to solve problems accurately rather than chase tricks. The drill helps you learn the defensive setup that keeps the game going and stops White from converting the extra pawn too smoothly.
The engine’s preferred continuation
The engine’s best move is Nc3, continuing Nc3 Nxc5 e4 b6. That is the line to know because it shows the most principled way to respond to White’s early grab in this position. Your task in the drill is to recognise that active development matters more than rushing after the pawn in a careless way. If White follows the engine’s main idea, you want to stay alert, finish development, and keep your pieces coordinated.
What the database says White actually plays
Across 29,764 games at this exact position, White wins 44.9%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 51.1%. The most-played continuations are Be3, Nf3, Nc3, e4, Qd4, and e3. That mix tells you White has several natural developing moves, so you should be ready for flexible piece placement rather than one forced path. The good news for Black is that White’s choice is often more about comfort than certainty, which gives you room to outplay them later.
The moves that go wrong most often
Three common choices are flagged as inaccuracies here. Be3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; the better move was Nc3. Nf3 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; the better move was e4. e3 is another inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; the better move was e4. For you, that means some of White’s natural-looking development moves do not ask the hardest questions, so if you stay accurate you can make the extra pawn less meaningful over time.
Results across 29,764 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Be3 | 9,189 | 44.6% |
| Nf3 | 4,642 | 45.7% |
| Nc3 | 2,757 | 46.4% |
| e4 | 2,456 | 47.2% |
| Qd4 | 1,979 | 43.0% |
| e3 | 1,955 | 44.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense good for Black?
In this exact position, the engine says White is better. Stockfish rates it +0.78, so you should expect to defend rather than claim an opening edge. The practical goal is to know the best reply and steer the game into manageable play.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is Nc3, with the continuation Nc3 Nxc5 e4 b6. That is the key line to learn in the drill. It shows the most reliable way to meet White’s early pawn grab.
Which White moves are most common after 1.d4 c5 2.dxc5 Na6?
The most-played continuations are Be3, Nf3, Nc3, e4, Qd4, and e3. Be3 is the most common, followed by Nf3. Knowing these moves helps you prepare for the positions you are most likely to face in practice.
What should I learn from the statistics in this opening?
The database shows White wins 44.9%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 51.1% across 29,764 games at this exact position. That means the position is sharp enough to be practical, but not equal in a simple way. Your drill work should focus on accurate defence and fast development.
How many games feature the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense?
Over 29K Lichess games have reached the Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense position. White wins 44.9%, Black wins 51.1%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.