Main line, through 3... b5A57
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5
In the centre, White holds d5.
A57-A59
Benko Gambit
8 named lines in this family, ECO A57-A59. Every one of them opens 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.
The moves every line here plays
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
- 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
- 2... c5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Benoni Defense.
Mutkin CountergambitA57
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. g4
Zaitsev SystemA57
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3
An early pawn trade leaves the b-file as Black's avenue and the c-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.
Zaitsev Variation, Nescafe Frappe AttackA57
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5
An early pawn trade leaves the a-file as Black's avenue and the c-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.
Nescafe Frappe AttackA57
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bc4
Fianchetto VariationA58
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3
White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.
Nd2 VariationA58
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. Nd2
Main line, after 4. cxb5A59
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
Walk these lines on a board
An account opens every move's note in this family, the plan behind each line, and a trainer that plays the line back at you. It is free.