Benko Gambit Declined · A57
Sosonko Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. a4
In the centre, White holds d5.
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 6 in the Benko Gambit Declined. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.