I have recently employed the Benko Gambit quite usually, and I have came accross 4.b3 quite a few times, but when I looked it up in a base I found out that there wasn't a single game with it. Can someone tell me why?

To whoever who doesn't know what I'm talking about: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.b3

here

I dont know the common lines, but I would say that it doesnt develop, it opens up the entire queenside, and most players would take the free pawn.

Whats the usual line?

I've played the benko a long time and 4.b3 is very common among players too nervous and theoretically ignorant to take the pawn. Just play bxc4, fiancetto and play against the center and along the b-file.

the normal line is this

I play Benko with Black and 4. b3 is a bad move, because it creates a weakness on diagonal a1-h8. Black play bc, d6, Bg7, Qa5, later Rb8 and there is a lot of tactics for Black here using that diagonal, like Nf6xe4, Rxb2 ( if there is a white bishop there, etc. ).

@kungfoodchef

The main line is The main plan for black is not to play e6. It's to after the gambit play Bxa6 d6 g6 Bg7 0-0 Nbd7 Qa5 Rfb8 with pressure on the queenside.

@rollingpawns

thanks