The Franco-Sicilian Hybrid is a variation of the Benoni Defense, catalogued as ECO A40. The line runs 1. d4 e6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 exd5 4. cxd5 d6 5. Nc3 g6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nf3 Ne7, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves.
On the Benoni Defense generally: An aggressive defense where Black accepts a space disadvantage for dynamic counterplay.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 36 Benoni Defense variations →
The Franco-Sicilian Hybrid goes 1. d4 e6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 exd5 4. cxd5 d6 5. Nc3 g6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nf3 Ne7. It is a variation of the Benoni Defense and is catalogued as ECO A40.
The Franco-Sicilian Hybrid is ECO A40. 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 e6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 exd5 4. cxd5 d6 5. Nc3 g6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nf3 Ne7 at +0.98 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 White to move.