Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line (A65)

The King's Pawn Line is a variation of the Benoni Defense, catalogued as ECO A65. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six 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.

Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line — position after e4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4c5
3d5e6
4Nc3exd5
5cxd5d6
6e4

ECO: A65

Stockfish: +0.74 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the King's Pawn Line?

The King's Pawn Line goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4. It is a variation of the Benoni Defense and is catalogued as ECO A65.

What is the ECO code for the King's Pawn Line?

The King's Pawn Line is ECO A65. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Benoni Defense.

Is the King's Pawn Line good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 at +0.74 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.

What kind of position does the King's Pawn Line lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.