An Intro to the e3 Benko Gambit

5. e3 looks like a modest enough move in response to the Benko Gambit, but surprisingly this line has a unique and dangerous strategy in mind and I have fallen into some pretty uncomfortable lines on more than one occasion!  Certainly enough to motivate me to look at this line more closely and figure out what I can do as black when facing this line.  

In this video we take a look at the main line of the e3 Benko Gambit which is a half accepted line. This variation comes from the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. e3! and takes on a very different plan than in the main line Benko.

In this line white passes on fully accepting the Benko Gambit & delays development in order to get a firm grip on the b5 square. White first controls b5 and then plops a menacing piece on the square. Due to this play takes a much different turn than in a typical Benko with play being focused around quick development and challenging white on b5.

I hope you enjoy and if you have any further insights I would love to hear.  Thanks!  -Stacia

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