Benko Gambit

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

The Benko gambit is one of the most well respected gambits against d4. Black's counterplay is very durable compared to many other gambits, in that the queenside pressure can last well into the endgame. There are several plans however at White's disposal to combat this gambit, the most radical being to simply countergambit with b6 (after cxb6 a6 b6!?).

Games

• Kortchnoi with white against the Benko gambit!
• 349 Benko Gambit games featuring b6

Futher Reading

• The Gambit Guide to the Benko Gambit -- Steffen Pedersen
• Benko Gambit : Hit Back from Move 3 -- Andrew Marin

 

A Brief Survey of the Openings

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