Benko Gambit

The Benko Gambit (or Volga Gambit) is a chess opening characterized by the move 3...b5 in the Benoni Defense arising after:

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 c5

3. d5 b5

 

Black sacrifices a pawn in order to gain rapid development.  Apart from this, Black also obtains fast development and good control of the a1–h8 diagonal and can exert pressure down the half-open a- and b-files. These are benefits which can last well into the endgame and so, unusually for a gambit, Black does not generally mind if queens are exchanged; indeed, exchanging queens can often remove the sting from a kingside attack by White.

 

The following game was actually played by Yury Nikolaevich Shaposnikov vs. Georgy Bastrikov in 1954:

 

1. d4, Nf6

2. c4, c5

3. d5, b5

4. cxb5, e6

5. Nc3, exd5

6. Nxd5, Bb7

 7. e4, Nxe4

 

 

White gives back the pawn in order to mobilize his f1 Bishop.   But undeniably, Black controls the center.

8. Bf4, Qa5+

9. b4 ....

Temporarily closing the diagonal.

9. .... cxb4

10. Bc4!? ....

 

Since b3 is inevitable, White decides to create an escape square for his King.

10. .... b3

11. Kf1, b2!!

12. Rb1, Bd6!

 

Defends the c7 square and prepares to castle at the kingside.

13.  Qd4, 0-0

Black decides to put his King to safety, sacrificing his Knight in the process.  He cannot move the Knight without endangering his d7 Bishop.

14. Qxe4, Bxf4

15. Ne7+, Kh8

16. Qxf4, Qc3

17. Nf3, Re8

18. Qxf7, Na6

19. bxa6, Be4

20. Ke2, Bg6!!

21. Ng5, Rxe7!!

22. Qxe7, Qxc4+

23. Kf3, Bh5+

White resigns.  if 24. Ke3, then Black replies with Re8.  If 24. Kg3, White mates with Qg4.