How to play against the Benko Gambit?
Sort:
FunnyAnimatorJimTV
Dec 29, 2017
0
#1
I am a 1.d4 player rated about 1800 OTB and I have found move orders and ideas I like against KID, QID, Grunfeld, QGD, Slav, Albit, Dutch and Benoni. However I'm not enjoying playing against Benko Gambit. I have tried the Kingwalk and Fianchetto variations but in both long games and blitz I am getting 'eh' results. I'm curious about other options white has when accepting or declining this brilliant gambit. Thanks in advance and Happy Checkmating!
Dec 29, 2017
0
#2
In my experience against the Benko in otb 20+ years ago, I get positive results playing 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6. This is against 1600-1800 Fide opposition. 5.bxa6 is what Benko players want.
I play the Benko and the most annoying thing is hanging on to the pawn with 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 (The Zaitsev)
NoHaxJustLuck a écrit :
I play the Benko and the most annoying thing is hanging on to the pawn with 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 (The Zaitsev)
It is true that the Zaitsev variation is quite messy, especially when facing OTB rarely.
I clearly prefer to chose a practical way to handle this line, with the variation advocated by Ramirez :
We get a "typical" (somewhat) Benko endgame so black should be happy.
At least we avoid what white wanted.
FunnyAnimatorJimTV a écrit :
I am a 1.d4 player rated about 1800 OTB and I have found move orders and ideas I like against KID, QID, Grunfeld, QGD, Slav, Albit, Dutch and Benoni. However I'm not enjoying playing against Benko Gambit. I have tried the Kingwalk and Fianchetto variations but in both long games and blitz I am getting 'eh' results. I'm curious about other options white has when accepting or declining this brilliant gambit. Thanks in advance and Happy Checkmating!
Benko gambit is not easy to face.
In the same spirit as my previous post, u should avoid what black wants, so i would advice u to play lines where u don't take on b5, and trying to play e4 soon :
These 2 lines (Qc2/Nd2) are very easy to play : u will follow with e4, then develop for instance with Nf3 (sometimes f4), Be2 or Bxc4, 0-0, b3/Bb2.
U get a playable position, and u avoid typical Benko structures.
poucin wrote:
FunnyAnimatorJimTV a écrit :
I am a 1.d4 player rated about 1800 OTB and I have found move orders and ideas I like against KID, QID, Grunfeld, QGD, Slav, Albit, Dutch and Benoni. However I'm not enjoying playing against Benko Gambit. I have tried the Kingwalk and Fianchetto variations but in both long games and blitz I am getting 'eh' results. I'm curious about other options white has when accepting or declining this brilliant gambit. Thanks in advance and Happy Checkmating!
Benko gambit is not easy to face.
In the same spirit as my previous post, u should avoid what black wants, so i would advice u to play lines where u don't take on b5, and trying to play e4 soon :
These 2 lines (Qc2/Nd2) are very easy to play : u will follow with e4, then develop for instance with Nf3 (sometimes f4), Be2 or Bxc4, 0-0, b3/Bb2.
U get a playable position, and u avoid typical Benko structures.
So interesting and simple, I play 1.e4 and might start playing 1.d4.