Benoni Defense: King's Pawn Line, with Bg5 (A65)

The King's Pawn Line, with Bg5 is a variation of the Benoni Defense, catalogued as ECO A65. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5, 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. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

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, with Bg5 — position after d5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4g6
3Nc3Bg7
4e4d6
5f3O-O
6Bg5c5
7d5

ECO: A65

Stockfish: +0.49 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the King's Pawn Line, with Bg5?

The King's Pawn Line, with Bg5 goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5. 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, with Bg5?

The King's Pawn Line, with Bg5 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, with Bg5 good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5 at +0.49 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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, with Bg5 lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.