The Classical Variation is a variation of the Benoni Defense, catalogued as ECO A70. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves.
On the Benoni Defense generally: An aggressive defense where Black accepts a space disadvantage for dynamic counterplay.
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The Classical Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4. It is a variation of the Benoni Defense and is catalogued as ECO A70.
The Classical Variation is ECO A70. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Benoni Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 at +0.75 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.