Benko Gambit
What is the Benko Gambit?
The Benko Gambit is a chess opening that begins with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5. It is classified under ECO A57–A59 and has 8 named variations. Black chooses it with the move b5.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5
ECO: A57–A59
Chosen by: Black
Main variations
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. Nd2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bc4
All 8 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| A57 | Main line | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 |
| A57 | Mutkin Countergambit | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4 |
| A57 | Zaitsev System | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 |
| A57 | Zaitsev Variation, Nescafe Frappe Attack | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 |
| A58 | 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 | 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 |
| A57 | 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 |
| A59 | Main line | 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. e4 Bxf1 8. Kxf1 d6 9. g3 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures