Benko Gambit · A57

Zaitsev System

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.

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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