Benko Gambit Accepted · A57
Main line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6
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. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 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.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 10 in the Benko Gambit Accepted. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.