Benko Gambit (A57 - A59) Opening Theory

 

Your Complete Benko Gambit Resource

This comprehensive archive unlocks the secrets of the Benko Gambit, equipping you with the knowledge to unleash its full potential on the chessboard.

 Wikipedia Page

The Benko Gambit (or Volga Gambit) is a chess opening characterized by the move 3...b5 in the Benoni Defense arising after:

1. d4 Nf6  2. c4 c5  3. d5 b5
However, it is a bit unusual as gambits go. Black, not White, gives up a pawn for long-term positional compensation.

ECO Code

A57 Sub-variants:

• Benko gambit         
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5
• Benko gambit half accepted  
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6
• Benko gambit, Zaitsev system 
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3
• Benko gambit, Nescafe Frappe attack 
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bc4
• Benko gambit accepted   
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6
• Benko gambit, Nd2 variation 
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. Nd2
• Benko gambit, fianchetto variation 
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3

A58 Sub-variants:

• Benko gambit accepted
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6
• Benko gambit, Nd2 variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. Nd2
• Benko gambit, fianchetto variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3

A59 Sub-variants:

• Benko gambit, 7.e4
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4
• Benko gambit, Ne2 variation
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 Bxf1 8. Kxf1 g6 9. Nge2
• Benko gambit
  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 Bxf1 8. Kxf1 g6 9. g3
• Benko gambit, main line1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 Bxf1 8. Kxf1 g6 9. g3 Bg7 10. Kg2 O-O 11. Nf3

 Bishop's Bounty Benoni Defense Page

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BOOKS & Courses (Free)

Short & Sweet: Benko Gambit - FREE Chessable Course - 25 Trainable Lines w/ 2.5 hr Video by GM Swapnil Dhopade

Short & Sweet: Perrine's Benko Gambit -FREE Chessable Course - 10 Trainable Lines w/ 34 Min Video by FM Perrine

Internet Archive

The Benko Gambit 1999 - 163 Page PDF - Byron Jacobs & Andrew Kinsman
Benko Gambit Accepted ( 1988) - 114 Page PDF - Eduard Gufeld
The Benko Gambit ( 2005) - 125 Page PDF - Jan Pinski
The Benko Gambit Revealed ( 2004) - 113 Page PDF - Neil McDonald
The Modernized Benko Gambit ( 2018) - 240 Page PDF - Milos Perunovic
Play The Benko Gambit ( 2011) - 212 page PDF - Nicolai V. Pedersen
The Dynamic Benko Gambit ( 2012) - 322 page PDF - Sergey Kasparov
The Benko Gambit Move By Move ( 2014) - 189 Page PDF - Junior tay
Benko Counter Gambit (1978) - 128 Page PDF - David Levy
Winning With The Benko ( 1995) - 145 Page PDF - Byron Jacobs
Dangerous Weapons The Benoni And Benko ( 2008) - John Emms, Chris Ward
The Benko Revisited, Volume 1 ( 2022) - 774 Page PDF - Alexey Kovalchuk
The Benko Revisited, Volume 2 ( 2022) - 659 Page PDF - Alexy Kovalchuk
Mastering The Modern Benoni And The Benko ( 1990) - 168 Page PDF - Robert Bellin

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Benko Gambit ARTICLES

• Benko Gambit - Simplify Chess Page (Very In-depth Guide )
  
  
• Benko Gambit: 10 Reasons to Play It - Article By FM  Zaur Tekeyev
  
  
• The Benko Gambit: A How to Play Guide for White & Black - Opening Guide on Chessable Blog (well Done)
  

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Lichess Studies:Master the Benko Gambit

Lichess Studies are a fantastic way to explore chess concepts and variations in an interactive format. Unlock its secrets with these curated Lichess studies:

• Benko Gambit - 10 Chapter Study - Perfect for beginners, this study focuses on the core main lines of the Benko Gambit.
   
• ⚓️ The Benko Gambit Study ⚓️ - 20 Chapter Study  Delve deeper into Benko Gambit strategy with this comprehensive study analyzing pawn structures and showcasing illustrative games.
  
  
• Benko Gambit: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 - 27 Chapter Study - For dedicated Benko players, this in-depth study offers a deep dive into all the major variations and nuances of the gambit.(In depth )
  
  
•  LiStudy Benko Gambit Page
  (Link to Listudy Page To Practice Lines with LiChess MoveTrainer)
  
  

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Game Databases

365 Chess.com Database

• A57: Benko gambit 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 - 22,870 Games 
  
  
• A58: Benko gambit accepted 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 - 8394 Games
  
  
• A59: Benko gambit, 7.e4 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 - 662 Games

Chessgames.com

• Benko Gambit (A57) 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 -  5097 Games
  
  
• Benko Gambit (A58) 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6 - 2304 Games
  
  
• Benko Gambit (A59) 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5 4 cxb5 a6 5 bxa6 Bxa6 6 Nc3 d6 7 e4 - 616 Games
  
  
• Benko Gambit (A57-A59) - 13 Annotated Games  
  

 

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Benko Gambit Video Lessons

Benko Gambit - 3 Video Playlist - FM James Canty   (48 Min)

The Benko Gambit: Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 54 Min  -  a lecture on the Benko Gambit, discussing its history, key ideas, and why it’s less popular at the top levels today. Finegold delves into the specifics of accepting the gambit, sharing insights from his own experiences and notable games, including Karpov vs. Gelfand and Nakamura vs. Bologan. 

A Detailed Guide to the Benko Gambit - 61 Min Hanging Pawns

The Benko Gambit - Chess Openings with GM Damian Lemos - 31 Min -  Presents a comprehensive guide explaining the key ideas, strategies, and variations of the gambit, emphasizing the importance of initiative and queenside play for black. The video covers the main lines and sub-lines, demonstrating how black can gain active play despite being a pawn down. Lemos also discusses common mistakes by white and how black can capitalize on them. He highlights the value of piece activity over material and provides insights into endgame advantages for black in the Benko Gambit.

The Benko Gambit: A positional sacrifice out of the opening! - IM Andrew Martin - 23 Min

When declining a gambit can be powerful! - IM Andrew Martin  -22 Min

Day 10: Improve your openings with IM Sagar Shah | Benko Gambit | Ft. GM Swapnil Dhopade - 73 Min - They provide insights on improving openings, share historical context, and discuss various strategies and positions related to the Benko Gambit

How to Play the Benko Gambit 💪 Chess Openings for Black with IM Valeri Lilov - 28 Min

Benko Gambit: Main Concepts - 23 Min

THE BEST Opening For Black Against 1.d4 | Benko Gambit | Chess Opening Explained - 14 Min - Coach Kestony - will teach you the best opening for black against 1.d4 where you will be play to win

St Louis Chess Club Lessons

• Benko Gambit - Chess Openings Explained - 54 Min  St. Louis Chess Club Lesson
• Benoni, Benko Gambit | Nimzo Indian - GM Ben Finegold - 2014.01.26 - 37 Min
• Gambits: Benko, Alapin, & More! - GM Yasser Seirawan - 2015.02.15 - 41 Min
• Chess Tactics in the Benko Gambit - IM Robert Ris [80/20 Tactics Multiplier] - 26 Min
• Play Like Pal Benko | Play Like a Pro - GM Denes Boros - 49 Min

Nescafe Frappe attack  

• Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Nescafé Frappe Attack! - 18 Min Chess Giant
  
  
• How to Play The Coffee Opening - 35 Min Anna Cramling

  

Plans Against the Benko

• How To Kill The Benko Gambit! 1975 - BEST NOVELTIES - 17 Min GM Simon Williams - This video series looks at the most important chess opening novelties from the last 50 years. The moves were decided by a Grandmaster jury voted from Chess Informant volume 11 to volume 115.
• Beat the Benko | Road to 2000 - NM Caleb Denby | lichess.org - 54 Min - comprehensive guide on how to counter the Benko Gambit in chess, focusing on white’s strategy. He explains the importance of accepting the gambit, establishing a pawn structure that prevents black’s counterplay, and securing a blockade on the queenside.
  
  
• Alexei Shirov - Crushing the Benko Gambit - My Best Games - Preview 1 - 25 Min
  
  
• Dominate the Benko Gambit by GM Damien Lemos (My Own Game) - 18 Min
  
  
• Benko Gambit Repertoire for White - 23 Min - Four recommended lines for white against the Benko Gambit.
• Crush The Benko Gambit with White!! - 31 Min - IM Miodrag Perunovic (The Butcher) - Discusses various strategies, including psychological approaches and positional ideas, to gain an advantage against this opening. The presenter analyzes model games to illustrate key concepts and moves, such as the importance of pawn structure, piece development, and controlling the center.

  

Benko Gambit Game Videos w/ Analysis

Benko Gambit - 58 Video Playlist - Kingscrusher

Magnus Carlsen Plays Benko Gambit Against Grandmaster Arthur Kogan - 7 Min
Magnus Carlsen Plays Benko Gambit vs Alireza Firouzja - 2 Min
Classic Chess Game: Magnus Carlsen Benko Gambit crush! - 16 Min
Standard Chess #164: IM Bartholomew vs. Pschaak (Benko Gambit) - 41 Min
Blitz Chess #202: IM Bartholomew vs. IM Pichot (Benko Gambit) - 13 Min

Taking Down the Benko Gambit!! | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 36 Min

Magnus Carlsen Plays Benko Gambit Against Grandmaster Arthur Kogan - 6 Min
Dealing with the Benko Gambit · Training Game - 46 min - Hanging Pawns
Shakhriyar Crushing the Benko Gambit - 9 Min

IM Bartholomews Youtube Page (Benko Gambit search) -  Around 20 Standard and Blitz Games