Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.e5

ECO A66

The Benoni Defense: Mikenas Variation is a chess opening line in the Benoni Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.e5.

It is catalogued under code A66 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e5 is chosen by White on move 8.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Benko Gambit course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.