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Benoni Defense: Modern Variation

476K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score51.5%Range (90% confident): 51.4% – 51.6%Based on 476K games
0%51.5%100%
Range (90% confident): 51.4% – 51.6%
Outcome Distribution
49.7%3.6%46.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
3...e6
Benoni Defense: Modern Variation
Analyzen=476K
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate3.6%

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 51.5% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 51.4% and 51.6%), based on 476K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Stable across ratings (~52%)

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 51.9% win rate (2,761 games)
  • 1000-1199: 52.1% win rate (12,156 games)
  • 1200-1399: 51.6% win rate (33,510 games)
  • 1400-1599: 51.6% win rate (67,789 games)
  • 1600-1799: 50.2% win rate (102,631 games)
  • 1800-1999: 48.6% win rate (116,784 games)
  • 2000-2199: 47.7% win rate (87,435 games)
  • 2200-2499: 50.0% win rate (44,925 games)
  • 2500+: 51.6% win rate (8,304 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Similar across time controls (~51%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 48.8% win rate (1,122 games)
  • Bullet: 50.2% win rate (162,437 games)
  • Blitz: 49.3% win rate (251,164 games)
  • Rapid: 49.8% win rate (59,561 games)
  • Classical: 51.1% win rate (2,011 games)

White% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
0-999—
1000-1199
1200-1399
1400-1599
1600-1799
1800-1999
2000-2199
2200-2499
2500+—

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

  • 0-999 rating, UltraBullet: 44.2% expected score (7 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 51.1% expected score (1,215 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 54.9% expected score (1,334 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 52.4% expected score (205 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 62.9% expected score (14 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 52.0% expected score (4,940 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 53.6% expected score (6,031 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 54.3% expected score (1,166 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 42.4% expected score (5 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 47.5% expected score (57 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 52.7% expected score (11,146 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 52.7% expected score (18,549 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 53.7% expected score (3,697 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 52.4% expected score (61 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 46.0% expected score (183 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 52.5% expected score (20,319 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 53.0% expected score (37,321 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 54.3% expected score (9,641 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 53.4% expected score (325 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 51.6% expected score (186 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 51.4% expected score (31,081 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 51.7% expected score (55,374 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 52.8% expected score (15,320 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 51.9% expected score (670 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 51.5% expected score (265 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 51.0% expected score (32,303 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (66,335 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 51.3% expected score (17,201 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 52.5% expected score (680 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 55.5% expected score (199 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.4% expected score (30,399 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (46,715 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 49.0% expected score (9,883 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 57.9% expected score (239 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 43.4% expected score (204 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 51.3% expected score (24,176 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 53.6% expected score (18,113 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 55.1% expected score (2,401 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 68.5% expected score (31 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 55.9% expected score (7 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 53.9% expected score (6,858 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 56.8% expected score (1,392 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 73.8% expected score (47 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Benoni Defense
47.5%
Variations (5)
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit Accepted
47.4%
Benoni Defense: Benoni Gambit, Schlenker Defense
48.7%
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense
50.1%
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense, Kingside Move Order
49.0%
Benoni Defense: Benoni-Staunton Gambit
53.5%
Continuations (1)
Benoni Defense: Modern Variation, Snake Variation
54.0%
Analyze Benoni Defense: Modern Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate?

The Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 49.7% (90% CI: 49.6%-49.8%) win rate for white, based on 476K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation perform best?

The Benoni Defense: Modern Variation performs best at 1000-1199 Elo with a 52.1% win rate for white (12K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (50.2%) outperforms UltraBullet (48.8%) by 1.4%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation?

The Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a sharpness score of 96.4 (very decisive), meaning 96.4% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 51.9% (90% CI: 50.4%-53.5%) win rate for white, based on 2.8K Lichess games. Average game length is 25 moves with a 2.1% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 52.1% (90% CI: 51.4%-52.8%) win rate for white, based on 12K Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 1.8% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 51.6% (90% CI: 51.2%-52.1%) win rate for white, based on 34K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.3% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 51.6% (90% CI: 51.3%-51.9%) win rate for white, based on 68K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 2.7% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 49.9%-50.4%) win rate for white, based on 103K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 48.6% (90% CI: 48.3%-48.8%) win rate for white, based on 117K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 3.9% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 47.7% (90% CI: 47.4%-47.9%) win rate for white, based on 87K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 4.6% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 50.0% (90% CI: 49.6%-50.4%) win rate for white, based on 45K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 4.8% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 51.6% (90% CI: 50.7%-52.5%) win rate for white, based on 8.3K Lichess games. Average game length is 42 moves with a 5.8% draw rate.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 48.8% (90% CI: 46.4%-51.3%) win rate for white (1.1K Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.9%.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 50.0%-50.4%) win rate for white (162K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.5%.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 49.3% (90% CI: 49.2%-49.5%) win rate for white (251K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 49.5%-50.2%) win rate for white (60K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.7%.

What is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation has a 51.1% (90% CI: 49.2%-52.9%) win rate for white (2.0K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.4%.

Is the Benoni Defense: Modern Variation a good opening?

The Benoni Defense: Modern Variation is statistically balanced with a 49.7% (90% CI: 49.6%-49.8%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1000-1199 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.