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Benoni Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5. It is classified A56 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Benoni meets 1.d4 with an immediate flank strike, usually reaching the Modern Benoni structure after 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6. Black takes a permanent structural concession in exchange for the half-open e-file and a queenside pawn majority.
This position can also be reached by another move order, including 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6.
Highly unbalanced. White has a protected passed pawn on d5 and a central space advantage, while Black plays for ...b5 and pressure down the long diagonal. Objectively risky, but it generates winning chances against opponents who play for a draw.
Aggressive players who need to win with Black and accept theoretical risk to do it.
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.