Benko Gambit

Play as BlackCounter-gambit

Black gives a pawn for lasting pressure down the a and b files.

The main line, move by move

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 g6 7. e4 Bxf1 8. Kxf1 d6

1. 1. d4 — Claim the center with the queen pawn and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
3. 2. c4 — Gain space and pressure the d5 square.
4. 2... c5 — Challenge the white center at once.
5. 3. d5 — Gain space and shut the long diagonal.
6. 3... b5 — The Benko Gambit: offer a pawn to open the queenside files.
7. 4. cxb5 — Takes the pawn on b5.
8. 4... a6 — Open the a-file by trading the b5 pawn.
9. 5. bxa6 — Takes the pawn on a6.
10. 5... Bxa6 — Takes the pawn on a6.
11. 6. Nc3 — Brings the knight into the game.
12. 6... g6 — Prepare to fianchetto the bishop.
13. 7. e4 — Build a big center.
14. 7... Bxf1 — Takes the bishop on f1.
15. 8. Kxf1 — Takes the bishop on f1.
16. 8... d6 — Free the bishop and support the pieces.

Related openings

• Marshall Attack
• Albin Counter-Gambit
• Budapest Gambit
• Latvian Gambit
• Englund Gambit

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