← Benko Gambit

Practice: Benko Gambit Accepted

Taking the pawn

White accepts both pawns. Black gets open a and b files and the powerful a6 bishop for lasting queenside pressure. White has the material but Black has enduring initiative.

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

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black offers the b5 pawn for long-term queenside pressure. The goal is open a-and b-files, an active bishop on a6, and a rook that can get to the seventh rank.
  • After 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6, Black's compensation is almost completely positional. The missing pawn does not matter if White cannot develop.
  • White's best plan is to keep the extra pawn and try to return it at the right moment to defuse Black's pressure.

Common mistakes & traps

  • A common mistake: after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6? Qxb6 6.Nc3 Qc6, White has won a pawn but Black's compensation (open lines, pressure) is overwhelming.
  • Black must avoid 4...a6 5.bxa6 g6? 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.g3. White consolidates and Black's compensation fades away.

Pawn structure notes

Black's queenside is wide open after the ...b5 and ...a6 exchanges. White's extra pawn is on the queenside but hard to defend. Black's pawns on d6 and g6 form a solid chain, and the open files provide lasting pressure.

Tips

  • Black gives up two pawns but gets open files, active bishops, and long-term queenside pressure
  • The a6 bishop is a monster - White's king is forced to f1 after Bxf1 Kxf1
  • The Benko is one of the few gambits where compensation lasts well into the endgame

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.