Benko Gambit Accepted · A57

Pawn Return Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. b6

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. White's pawn has already reached b6.

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.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 5 more moves in this line, 9 in all.