Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4/2...c5/3. d5/3...b5

Benko Gambit
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/p2ppppp/5n2/1ppP4/2P5/8/PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5
ECO code: A57-A59
Parent: Benoni Defence

Benko Gambit

Black offers the b5 pawn in return for a slight lead in development and a superior pawn structure. The main idea is that Black gets strong positional pressure against White's queenside, where they have two open files for his rooks (after ...a6), and an open diagonal for the fianchetto on g7. The pawn structure has lasting effect and often even if White enters the endgame up a pawn, they will find it hard to convert this advantage into a win. As theory has developed, however, it's become harder for Black to find lines with winning chances and with proper play white can usually weather the storm.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5

	4	5	6	7
	cxb5 a6	bxa6 Bxa6	Nc3 d6	Nf3 g6	∞
	Nf3 g6	cxb5 a6	Nc3 axb5	e4 b4	∞
	a4 b4	Nd2 g6	e4 d6	Ngf3 Bg7	∞
	Nd2

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.