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
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
Benko Gambit ARTICLES
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.
Game Databases
365 Chess.com Database
Chessgames.com
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
Nescafe Frappe attack
Plans Against the Benko
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