The Penrose Variation is a variation of the Modern Benoni, catalogued as ECO A71. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Bg5, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves.
On the Modern Benoni generally: One of the most dynamic openings in chess. Black allows White a space advantage but creates queenside counterplay and a powerful kingside fianchetto.
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The Penrose Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Bg5. It is a variation of the Modern Benoni and is catalogued as ECO A71.
The Penrose Variation is ECO A71. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Modern Benoni.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Bg5 at +0.58 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move.