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Benko Gambit

Intermediate
black repertoire·6 parts

The Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5). Black gives up a pawn to tear open the a- and b-files, then piles the rooks and the g7-bishop onto White's queenside. Black stays a pawn down, but the pressure is constant and awkward to meet — a favourite club weapon that wins a lot of practical games.

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Start

Key Strategic Ideas

Before the specific lines, here is the whole idea of the Benko: give a pawn (or two) to rip open the queenside, then squeeze with the rooks and the g7-bishop. Black is materially down, but the pressure is worth it in practice.