Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 c5 6.d5 d6

ECO E31

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense is a chess opening line in the Nimzo-Indian Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 c5 6.d5 d6.

It is catalogued under code E31 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d6 is chosen by Black on move 6.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Nimzo-Indian Defense 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.