Happy bithday Benko" Pál! This is the right Hungarian name of the grandmaster. The reason of this is that he is Hungarian. His parents passed to France and he had born in France, and the family returned to Hungary when Benko" was four years old. After the long American absence he is living anew in Hungary. Yesterday I saw an interview in the Hungarian television with Benko". He answered for one hour long. Benko" told that when he was playing the Benko" gambit never was defeated, only in two game not: when he had played against Benko" gambit. Still he told, that he will write a book about Bobby Fischer.

Benko" in his 24th year participated in the Maróczy Memorial Tournament where he achieved 50% result between the best grandmaster of the world. In the last round he defeated Stahlberg grandmaster. This game will be visible in my Maróczy MT series.

One friend of Benko", GM István Bilek before half hour told me in telephone: Benko" is a chess-pentathlonist: excellent chessplayer, excellent chess-solution author, excellent chess-writer, excellent chess team-captain, excellent olimpic competitor. (five times in the USA team) 

One of my best games I ever played was with the black pieces using the Benko Gambit. Have his book on this opening somewhere. Going to have to go through my "stuff' and reread it. Would be fun to use again.

A belated "Happy Birthday" Mr. Benko!!

The Benko is one of Black's sound gambits. Some say it is the only sound counter-gambit. (That was said, for example, by Lev Alburt in a DVD on this gambit.) I will take it up one day in reply to 1.d4.
BTW, his native language is Hungarian.

Thanks for your article! Happy birthday Super Grandmaster Benko!!!!!

nice play at the end.

Nice story Benkobaby!

SonofPearl - Thanks for remembering the BIG GUY'S Birthday!! He was French born and raised in Hungary. Later imprisoned by the Soviets and tortured - Father and older brother shipped off to labour camps - His mother died during this time - perhaps from despair but more likely cold and starvation. I wonder how many of the current or former GMs would have faired given the same circumstances!!.

My screen name comes from the fact that I was born around the time that he was probably at his best OTB (hence Benkobaby) - 1. c4 1.g3 - the minority attack and of course the Benko Gambit!

I played against him once (many years ago - 1985? - I think) I was playing 4th board for my local club at that time. He was doing a simul at a shopping mall - lots of snotty 8 to 10 year olds. He looked like he was pulling weeds (which he was). I played the Caro-Kann and after my 3rd move, he clasped his hands in front of him and said: "finally - a game of chess" Needless to say I was ready to resign right then and there - I had a grin on my face for a week

After move 11 (or so) I had to start backpedalling - After move 13 (or so) I had to ditch the bike and start running. By move 18 I was a piece down and launched a furious attack on his King - this included the sac of my Queen. He brushed it aside - like an annoying insect. My only consolation was that he paused at my board (sometimes for over a minute). I handed him my King and shook hands around about move 25. He was the perfect gentleman!!

 

For those that care - here are a couple of the Big Guy's games

 

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1091012

 

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1138070 " target="_blank">http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1138070 

 

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1139564,

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG GUY!! 

 

Great article. I don't pay the Benko Gambit, but I do play the Benko opening.

interesting gambit, interesting game, great player.  thanks for posting.

btw, queen of death, billwall posted a list of older players who have continued to play well in this thread.  it's post #12.

  you know rating 2300 or above or not at 80 years old for him to have that sharp of a mind where out of 10 million 30 year olds maybe 1000 are that good... is just

amazing...god bless a strong mind into the golden years! happy birthday! keep showing the young that people can retain a strong mind... I mean some people

who are farther along forget where their car is or where they are or where they live... this guy is sharp as whip! just amazing! hope he reads this and smiles!

I have a joke about the Benko Gambit. There were a bunch of people packed in an elevator, & a chess player said to another chess player, "that Benko Gambit is a lousy opening." A voice was heard coming from the back of the elevator. He said, "I know." The chess players turned around & just about jumped out of their socks. It was Benko back there! lol :D Keep in mind guys this is strictly a joke & doesn't represent my view of the Benko Gambit. Btw Benkobaby, if you read this I definitely don't want to knock your pet opening since you play it very well. This opening does lead to interesting games very often.  

Benko was one of the best & most creative players in the history of chess & has a vast knowledge of the endgame & excelled in his games w/ it. He is still a strong player even now, esp. considering his age.  

i love benko gambit, it's good to see the originator put it to work. it's not very common. brilliant game.

I tried this gambit recently in a game against Bishoprook. It was some game I can tell you. The lines are wild!