Benko Gambit Annoyance

So I often face the Benko gambit in online blitz on another server. I play the fully accepted variation and I know the theory decently but I still get into tactical trouble-for example:

The ending was really bad too lol I often miss those random endgame checkmates out of nowhere in fast games....

But anyways what are some other lines that offer a decent advantage to white but don't give Black so much play? I'm tired of defending my position right out of the opening and giving initiative to Black.

I understand its not really the openings fault that I blundered so badly but if natural moves like Rfd1 lead into so much trouble id rather play something else so a disaster doesnt happen. Currently the Benko is one of my most hated responses to 1.d4 second only to Chigorin's Defense.

How is the b6 pawn return line--what are the main ideas? Or is there something else that may take Black out of his Benko element?

bump

>>>But anyways what are some other lines that offer a decent advantage to white but don't give Black so much play?

Refusing the gambit. Those spare tempos give a dynamism to gambit play that = the initative. And blitz is just tactics. All sacrafices are hard to defend against and especially when your opponent is a clock instead of a person the more difficult problems you face the more likely you will fail to solve them in time or correctly.

On that topic, anyone care to share some good ways to decline the Benko Gambit? I can read a database as well as the next person, but this sort of thing is good to come from experience.

(edit: not ignoring you, qablo; we posted at the same time - thanks for your input)

I switched from opening with mostly 1.d4 to mostly 1.e4 for mostly this reason. Have an upcoming thematic tournament to try to get to better grips with it.

I play the Benko as black all my life. My OTB rating is at present 2148 but it used to be a lot higher (old age.....). The most annoying variation for black is in my opinion the Bb2 variation. For this reason most Benko players do not play 5....Bxa6 but first g6 and only after Nc3  Bxa6 avoiding 6.b3!

Also later b3 is often very strong. For instance 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cb5 a6 5. ba6 g6 6. Nc3 Ba6 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 Bg7 9. Nf3 Nbd7 10. Rb1 Nb6 11. b3!

Worth a try, especially in blitz and rapid,  is further 5. Nc3 ab5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 with all kind of tactics like 7....Ne4?? 8. Qe2 followed (after retreat of the Knight) by Nd6 mate.

Hmm I think ill take a look into the 4.Nf3 lines. Seems interesting if it gets the typical Benko player out of the sort of 'autopiloting' thats typical in the fully accepted variations.

And wow haha I was actually wondering why people played g6 before Bxa6 in the main line. Never would have considered the b3 move.

Here is a line to try in the Benko vs the Bg2 line. The idea is not to 0-0 and get your queenside activity going a tempo earlier.

That's the problem with meeting the Benko in blitz - by the time you are ready to use the pawn your time is about gone already.

I don't face Benko Gambit as often, but when I do I like the Zaitsev variation. It sidesteps most theory and gives white interesting chance.

I tricked a 1900+ rated player in my club with this tactic, but I'm not sure how successful it may be on the internet with everyone freely sharing these tricks.

I have played 5 bxa6, 5 f3, 5 e3 and 5 b6 so probably I should give 5 Nc3 a try

Benko gamb can be easily avoided... don't take the pawn but play e3 instead, develop bishop.

Most benko player are one trick pony... just refuse the line and they are bust.