Benko Gambit

Benko Gambit
abcdefgh
8
a8 black rook
b8 black knight
c8 black bishop
d8 black queen
e8 black king
f8 black bishop
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
d7 black pawn
e7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
f6 black knight
b5 black pawn
c5 black pawn
d5 white pawn
c4 white pawn
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
e2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
b1 white knight
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
f1 white bishop
g1 white knight
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Moves1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5
ECOA57–A59
Named afterPal Benko
Volga River
ParentBenoni Defence
Synonym(s)Volga Gambit
Volga-Benko Gambit

The Benko Gambit (or Volga Gambit) is a chess opening characterised by the move 3...b5 in the Benoni Defence arising after:

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 c5
3. d5 b5

Black sacrifices a pawn for enduring queenside pressure. White can accept or decline the gambit pawn.

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has three codes for the Benko Gambit:[1]

  • A57 3...b5
  • A58 3...b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6
  • A59 3...b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 d6 7.e4