The Benko Gambit

Hello guys. Today we are looking at the Benko gambit. The Benko gambit comes from the opening called the benoni defense. Which can be a lot of baloney. You know who invented the Benko gambit?

Yup, you guessed presenting GM Pal Benko the inventor of the Benko gambit. GM Pal Benko died just 2 days ago at age 91. He lived from July 15 1928 to August 26 2019. He was a very good chess player. He even managed to beat GM Bobby Fischer in games. He just let Fischer go to the 1972 world chess championships.

Benko vs. Fischer

R.I.P Pal Benko.

This is a gambit that even World champion GM Magnus Carlsen plays. This something that can also be done against 1.d4. It arise from a Kings Indian Defense. Well this type of gambit is different than others. It's different type of gambit because its harder to get the pawn back. ]

Now we are going to look at blacks  the pros and cons of this gambit.

• Blacks pros
• Black gets central control way more than white
• Black gets way ahead in development
• Huge Queenside pressure
• Rock solid pawn structure
• Stunted white piece-placement 
• And now his cons
• Behind in material
• One variation white gets central control

Now the basic one is this version

This one above makes it hard for white for white to develop. Another common move after a6 is e3 keeping it a little less dangerous for white. White also has the idea of fianchettoing his kingside bishop and also is less dangerous for white.

Here is also one more common idea for white.

Well thats it. 

MAKE SURE TO PLAY THE BENKO GAMBIT.

Bye.