Benko Gambit

Before the first move

The Benko Gambit is a provocative and strategic weapon where Black sacrifices a pawn early to gain long-term pressure on the queenside. Unlike many gambits, Black's compensation is positional, aiming to open the a- and b-files for their rooks while creating a powerful fianchettoed bishop on g7.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4 to claim central space and open lines for your queen and bishop. This move establishes a solid foothold in the middle and is the foundation for many classical and hypermodern structures.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies Nf6, the most popular response to d4. By developing the knight, Black controls e4 and d5. Other choices like the Englund Gambit with e5 or the English Defense with b6 lead to very different types of games.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Move your pawn to c4. This is the most ambitious way to fight for the center, preparing to increase your space and supporting the d4 pawn. It invites Black to choose their defensive setup.

Other paths here: f4 (Canard Opening) · g4 (Indian Defense: Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit) · e4 (Indian Defense: Omega Gambit) · d5 (Indian Defense: Pawn Push Variation)

2... c5Black

Black counters with c5, the Benoni signature. Black is already trying to disrupt White's central control. While Black could play the Mexican Defense with Nc6 or the Queen's Indian with b6, this pawn thrust is the most aggressive.

Other paths here: g5 (Indian Defense: Medusa Gambit) · b5 (Indian Defense: Pyrenees Gambit) · a6 (Indian: 2.c4 a6) · Nc6 (Mexican Defense)

3. d5White · your move

Push your pawn to d5. By bypassing the challenge from c5, you gain a significant space advantage in the center and cramp Black's development. This is the most principled response to the Benoni.

Other paths here: Nf3 (English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation) · e3 (Benoni: 2...c5 3.e3) · dxc5 (Benoni: 3.dxc5)

3... b5Black

Black offers the Benko Gambit with b5. Instead of the solid Czech Benoni with e5 or the Hromádka System with d6, Black chooses to sacrifice material for long-term pressure. You must now decide whether to accept the pawn or decline it.

Other paths here: e5 (Benoni Defense: Czech Benoni Defense) · d6 (Benoni Defense: Hromádka System) · a6 (Benoni: 3.d5 a6) · g6 (Benoni: 3.d5 g6)

Where you stand

The battle lines are drawn. White usually accepts the gambit and tries to weather the storm, while Black will fianchetto their dark-squared bishop and use the open a- and b-files to attack. White must develop carefully to neutralize the pressure, while Black seeks to prove that the activity is worth more than the pawn.

• c4-b5 Capture the b5 pawn to accept the gambit
• f8-g7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure the long diagonal
• e2-e4 Push e4 to solidify the central space
• a8-a6 Offer another pawn to open the a-file