The Benko Gambit! Power Play!

Power PJay!

The Benko Gambit!

by Senior Postal Master

Jon Edwards

with contributions by IGM John Fedorowicz

The ChessBase University Power Play! Series (CBU 221pp)

R & D Publishing

A Division of 4M Data Systems

Copyright199:l B & D Publishing

This is the first edition of The Benko Gambit!, by Jon

Edwards and IGM John Fedorowicz. All rights reserved

under the Pan American and International copyright

conventions.

ISBN 1-883358-04-3

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any

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current written permission from the publisher.

R & D Publishing

A Division of 4M Data Systems, Inc.

Box 133

Hagerstown, MD 21741

{301) 733-7541

{800) 524-3527 (Orders Only)

Authors: Jon Edwards and John Fedorowicz

Editor: Don Maddox

Cover Art: Gary Ferster

Cover Layout: Dawn Maddox

Typesetting: JM Productions

Benko Gambit! 3

Forward The idea for " Power Play!" emerged from a series of meetings between International Grandmaster Ron Henley, Correspondence Masters J on Edwards and Paul Hodges, and myself. Our goal was to combine Ron's experience as a player and world-class trainer with the research and a na lyt i cal sk i l l s of top-level correspondence players and my years as a chess coach and teacher to produce a new kind of training material.

What we fo u n d was a start l i n g commonality, at d ifferent levels, i n the way we each approached our own st u d y of ope n i n g s . I n h i s own preparation, Ron focused on critical positions, making sure he thoroughly understood a variety of plans and ideas before adding a l ine to his repertoire. I n postal chess, J on and Paul made a point of identifying target positions and thoroughly preparing for the kind of unresolved tension necessary to create w inn ing chances i n the test-tube at m o s p h e re of top-f l i g ht correspondence chess. As a teacher working with new students and high school kids, I had always found that concentrating on a few key ideas and plans from key positions was the quickest way to break my kids of the bad habit of trying to play good chess by rote.

" What I ' d l i k e ," sa id R o n , " i s a convenient way to use K nightStalker as a training tool to practice my openings. The most important thing a writer can do for a player, in my opinion, is to point out what's important and help cut through the maze of material that's available."

W e sat down that very evening and carv ed out the prototype for this first "P ower Play!" proj ect, and Ron and

Paul set out to test the idea. More than two hund red games late r, H enley declared the experiment a roaring success.

I n the in ter im , I tested t h i s new approach on my students. To my delight and amazement, I found that the same material Ron was finding useful at the GM-Ievel helped cut the learning curve in half for my beginners. In fact, at an intermediate level, I found the same material useful in my own study. The difference between one student and another lies simply in the level of guidance required to direct their study. A Grandmaster's not much interested in explanations, while a beginner wants help understanding why a move is interesting and what to think about in a given position.

No matter how you study - at home with your computer or at the club with your friends - you're going to find "P ower P lay!" the ultimate tool for improving your chess.

The Benko Gambit, introduced by Pal Benko in 1960, has become a mainstay against 1 .d4, so successful in fact that more theory is being generated today on how to decline the gambit than on how to play it! J on Edwards has used the Benko for years in correspondence chess, and it has served him well. J ohn Fedorowicz is perhaps the world's leading expert on the Benko.

We hope you enj oy this book as much as we enj oyed putting it together. As a team, we take pride in the launch of a series of chess books designed to be US ED by chessplayers of all levels.

Good luck -a nd good chess!

Don Maddox Manasquan 1993

4 Benko Gambit!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS by Don Maddox

JON EDWARDS

Born: 8/24/1 953 New York City

National Postal Master: 1 988

Senior Postal Master: 199 1

J on Edwards has been t h e highest-rated player i n American Postal Chess Tournament (APCT) competition since September 1990, remaining on top of the APCT list longer than any other player - and still counting. In J anuary of 1993, J on achieved in the highest rating {2479) in APCT history.

H i s recent ChessBase U n iversity books-on-disk "The Hedgehog" and "The Sicilian . . . d5 Pawn Break" involve intr igu ing examinations of chess structures by making extensive use of ChessBase's special ized middlegame and user keys.

In addition to his work for ChessBase University, J on also writes "Win, Lose or Draw, " a reg ular col u m n for the award-winning "APCT News Bul letin."

J on is 39 , married, with two children -Aaron and Neal.

JOHN FEDOROWICZ

Born: 9/27/1958 New York City

International Master: 1 9 78

International Grandmaster: 1986

One of the most popular American players, Fedorowicz is also one of the leading contemporary experts on the Benko Gambit. A former U.S. Open Champion, frequent competitor in the U.S. Championship and member of the U.S. Olympiad team, he has also spent an extended period of time in Europe as a professional player where he is at least as well known as he is in the U.S.

J ohn has been playing the Benko Gambit since 1973 - in fact, he beat KnightStalker with this opening in the 199 1 Harv ard Cup. I still remember his gruff condolences after the game -"These machines don't know how to play against the Benko. They choke on the pawn. "

I still carry an indelible mental image of 'Fed' shoving the pawn down Stalker's throat. In a sense, some of his work on this volume represents a 'rematch. ' All of us benefit from the chess lesson.

Benlw Gambit! 5

Contents

Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

About the Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Position 1 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 An Incorrect move order: 5 . . . Bxa6

Position 2 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a Unusual lines: .. . Nxa6

Position 3 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 o Unusual ideas: 5 .. . g6! 6.b3!?

Position 4 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 Nf4 and h4

Position 5 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 Bh3

Position 6 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 Main line with Bg2 and o-o

Positio n 7 (A59) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 0-0 by hand with 9.f4

Position 8 (A59) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 0-0 by hand with 9.g4

Position 9 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 0-0 by hand with 9.Nge2

Position 1 0 (A59) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 0-0 by hand with 1 o.g3

Position 1 1 (A59) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 0-0 by hand

Position 1 2 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 8.Nd2 (69.e4 Bxf1 1 0.Nxf1)

Position 13 (A5 7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 5.e3 (with 8.Bd2)

Position 1 4 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 5.e3 (with 8.Nge2)

Position 1 5 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 5.e3 g6

Position 16 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 5.e3 g6 (with 8.Nf3)

Position 1 7 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 5.e3 Bb7

Position 1 8 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 5.e3 e6

Position 19 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 5.f3 g6

Position 20 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 5.f3 e6

Position 21 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 5.f3 axb5

Position 22 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Zaitsev

Position 23 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Zaitsev with 8.Bf4

Position 24 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Zaitsev with 8.Nf3

Position 25 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Zaitsev with 8.Bc4

Position 26 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 5.b6

Position 27 (A58) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Central Pawn Storm with 7.f4

Position 28 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Gambit Declined with 4.Nf3 Bb7

Position 29 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Gambit Declined with 4.Nf3 b4

Position 30 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Gambit Declined with 4.Nf3 bxc4

Position 3 1 (A57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Gambit Declined with 4.a4

Grandmaster Gymnasium . . . . . . . 64

Benko Gambit Strategies: A Thematic Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Chess Informant Symbol Guide . . 74

Index of Middlegame Patterns . . . 75

6 Benko Gambit!

Power Play! Positions

Introduction

It happens to everyone. You get a nice advantage out of the opening, perhaps a winning edge, but you just can't convert it into the full point. Or you study the opening variations, but you just can't seem to find your way through the middlegame.

Power Play! to the rescue!

Power Play! helps you practice your middlegame skills in a number of helpful ways. This book covers thirty {30) critical positions in the Benko Gambit. Using a computer or a human training part n e r, you can practi ce t hese positions from both sides. To prepare you for each critical position, we ex plain the key ideas and plans for both white and black and provide you with a number of interesting q uestions and propositions to ex plore.

Whether or not you win your training games, you will certainly learn a great deal about these middlegame positions and enhance your understanding of the Benko Gambit.

For each critical position , we also present two master games that illustrate many of the themes we discuss here. You can review these games to see how the world's best players play the Benko.

It's like building muscles. The next time you get to one of these positions, or a position like it, you'll have a great deal of ex perience to draw on. And almost certainly more confidence!

Position 1 : ASS An Incorrect move order:

S ... Bxa6

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 Bxa6?1 6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 g6 8.b3! Bg7 9.Bb2 0-0 10.Nh3 Nbd7 1 1 .0-0

In this opening variation, black has prematurely captured the white pawn on a6 with 5 . . . Bxa6 rather than the usual 5 . . . g6. Black has failed to prevent white from playing b3 and Bb2 - as a result, white is able to limit black's counterplay q u ite effectively by challenging the effectiveness of the black Bg7.

As you will see in the critical positions that follow, black can usually reach strategically viable positions with 5 . . . g6, in essence assert ing uncontested control over the long d iagonal and preventing white from playing b3 and Bb2.

White's plan

I n this variat ion, white has easily completed the development of his q ue e n s i d e pawns and , m ore i mportantly, has establ ished the dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal. White is therefore able to counter the pressure black usually brings to bear along the long diagonal.

Note that white has developed the Ng1 to h3 to defend the d5-pawn with the Bg2. White can further reinforce the d5-pawn (after ... Nb6 and . . . Bb7, for example) with Nc3.

W hite also has an interesting tactical trick if black develops with . . . Ra7 and . . . Qa8. This rather typical maneuver by black permits white to play Nh3-f4-e6. Note that after Ne6/ . . . fxe6/dxe6, the e6-pawn attacks the black Nd7 and simultaneously exposes the black Qa8 to an attack from the white Bg2.

(See game 1.)

If black tries 1 1 . . . Qb8 or 1 1 . . . Qb6 hoping to exploit the pin of the b-pawn with 1 2 . . . c4, white can easily move out of the pin and maintain a presence on the long diagonal with 1 2.Bc3!

(See game 2.)

White's long-term plan often involves Re1 , Qc2 or Qd2, and a4, with the idea of preventing all black counterplay with Nb1 -a3(or c3)-b5.

Black's plan

It is tempting to suggest that black's plan should be to avoid this variation and leave it at that. Still, it can be very instructive to try a variety of ideas against wh ite ' s defensive set-up. Perhaps the most aggressive black idea

here is . . . Qb6, . . . RfbB, and . . . Ng4 with the idea of . . . Nge5 and .. . c4.

You should note, however, that as soon as black plays . . . Ng4 (as part of the effort to transfer the knight to e5), white wi l l i m m ed i ate ly exc h a n g e t h e dark-squared bishops with Bxg7, el im inat ing a key black strategic com po n e nt and h e l p i n g wh i te withstand the counterattack.

Things to try

As in all of these critical positions, play both sides against the computer. You will find a rather challenging game and an opportunity to test many of the ideas and plans discussed here. If you don't have a c c e s s t o a c hessp lay ing computer or p rogram, sometimes human be ings make reasonable training partners.

In this position, try a variety of plans for black. I guarantee that if you like the positions you get, you'll really like the positions you get from the positions we'll examine later!

H ere, with black, try a variety of ideas:

• 1 1 .. . Nb6 with the idea of . . . Qd7, . . . Rab8, and . . . Rfc8

• 1 1 ... Ra7 with the idea of . . . Qa8 (Does t h e computer see Nf4-e6?)

• 1 1 .. . Qb6 with the idea of . . . RfbB and .. . Ng4-e5

(1) Hertan - Jones [A58) Boston, 1985

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6?1 6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 g6 8.b31 Bg7 9.Bb2 0-0 10.Nh3 Nbd7 1 1 .0-0 [The critical position.] 1 1 ... Ra7 12.Nf4 Oa8 1 3.Ne61 [A key idea. Were the Rf8 on b8, black could select si mply to

8 Benko Gambit!

ret reat the Bg7 to hB . ] 1 3 . . . fxe6 1 4.dxe6 [The point. The pawn attacks the Nd7, and the Bg2 attacks the Qa8.) 1 4 . . . Bb7 1 5.Bxb7 Qxb7 1 6.exd7 Qxd7 [White emerges a clear pawn ahead and now seeks to establish firm control over the q ueens ide with a4 and Na3-b5.) 17.a4 e5 [Seeking to establ ish a broad pawn center.] 18.e4 Qh3 1 9.f3 [Preventing Ng4 and readying defence with Qe2. ) 1 9 . . . Raf7 20. Qe2 Bh6 21 .Nc3 [With control over the key d5-square.] 2 1 . . . Be3 + ? [A losi ng m ove , but w h ite a l read y had a s i g n i f icant advantage. B et ter i s 21 . . . Qe6! 22.Ra3± (6Kg2, Qd3, Nd5 with a solid advantage - Fedorowicz) .) 2 2 . Qx e 3 N g 4 2 3 . Q e2 [23.fxg4?? Rxf1 + 24 . Rxf1 Rxf1 # ) 23 . . . Rxf3 24.Rxf3 Rxf3 25.Qxf3 + - 1-0

(2) Gheorghiu - Jacobs [A58) London, 1980

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5 . bxa 6 Bxa6? 1 [Premature. Black should first play 5 ... g6 and 6 ... Bg7 to inhibit b3 as soon as possible.] 6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 g6 8.b31 Bg7 9.Bb2 0-0 1 0.Nh3 [White develops the knight to h3 to pr eserve the communication between the Bg2 and the d5-pawn. White wil l be able to augment control over the d5-pawn with Nc3.) 10 .. . Nbd7 1 1 .0-0 [The critical position.] 1 1 . . . Qb6 12.Bc3 [White moves out of the pin of the b-pawn and, by so doing, avoids . . . c4.) 1 2 . . . Rfb8 1 3.Re1 Ng4 [A common maneuver in the Benko Gambit. The kn ight usually heads for e5. Here, however, white is able to exchange the dark-sq uared bishops.) 1 4.Bxg7 Kxg7 1 5.Nd2 c4 [Black sacrifices another pawn for counterplay.) 16.bxc4 Nge5 17.Rc1 Rca 1 8.Nf4 [Another common ma neuver t hat overprote cts t h e d-pawn. White oftens plays Nf4 in

conjunction with h4 to safeguard the Nf4.) 18 .. . Nxc4 19.Bh3 [Threatening to win a piece.] 19 . . . Nce5 20.Bxd7 Nxd7 21 .Nb3 Ne5 22.Rxc8 Rxca 23.Qd2 Bc4 24.Rc1 Rb8 25.Rc3 Qb4 26.h4 [Anot h e r typ ical m a n e uver to safeguard the Nf4 against the threat of . . . g5.) 26 .. . Ra8 [Black is able to win back the gambit pawn, but the absence of the dark-sq uared bishops gives white excellent attacking chances on the kingside.) 27.Qd4 Rxa2 28.Nd3! [Taking advantage of two p ins . ] 28 . . . Qa4 29. Nxe5 Bxb3 30.Nc4 + [Check! ] 30 .. .f6 31 .Qe31 Bxc4 [31 . . . Kf8 32.Nb6 + -] 32.Qxe7 + Kh6 33.Qf8 + K h 5 3 4 . Qxf6 [6Qg5#) 34 . . . Kh6 35.Qf8 + Kh5 36.g4 + Kxh4 37 .Qh6 + Kxg 4 3 8 . R g 3 + Kf5 3 9 . Q g 5 + [39 .Qg5 + Ke4 40.Rg4#) 1 -0

Position 2: ASS Unusual lines: . . . Nxa6

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 g61 6.g3 Bg7 7.Bg2 d6 8.Nh3 Nxa61?

Capturing the a6-pawn with the knight is highly unusual, but not necessarily unsound. Far more common, of course, is . . . Bxa6 with important control over the a6-f1 diagonal.

In this variation, black has a different plan i n mind , with ideas such as . . . Na6-b4, . . . Bb7 or . . . Ba6, and black still can take advantage of the open a- and b-files to develop the rooks and q ueen aggressively.

Benko Gambit! 9

Black's plan

Black's capture on a6 with the knight is q u ite unusual , but is part of a an interesting and dynamic plan. I n many lines, the knight has a future on b4 where it s i m u l taneous ly p laces pressure on the white pawns at a2 and es as well as upon the key d3-sq uare. Black still has options such as . . . Ba6 (obviously after . . . Nb4) , . . . Ng4-e5, .. . 0-0, .. . Rfb8, and of course, . . . c4 and . . . Nd3.

(See game 3.)

White's plan

There is very little theory on this l ine. The few games we have at our disposal suggest that white ought to continue with the interesting Nf4, h4, 0-0, and Nc3.

(See gam e 4.)

I n this line, white can also continue aggressively with the idea of shoving hS against the castled black king. Note that the Nf4 helps to defend the wh ite d-pawn, and that the white h4-pawn

prevents black from dislodging the Nf4 with . . . gS.

Very of ten in these lines white delays the development of the Bc1 , awaiting commitments first from black. The bishop is needed on c1 to defend the b2-pawn, though white can try the freeing idea Nc3, Rb1 , Qc2, and b3.

Things to try

Black's play in this variation is atypical for the Benko, but c lear ly worth studying.

In addition to exploring the main black p lan wi th . . . 0 -0 , . . . R fb8 , . . . N b4 , . . . Ng4- e5, . . . Ba6, you will have to make decisions about where to place the b lack q u e e n . I n many of these var iat i o n s , t h e queen i s most aggressively posted on aS, though in this variation, you are likely to achieve more success on b6, especially if you can play . . . c5- c4.

Try a variety of different move orders for black. H ow q uickly should you play . . . Nb4? . . . Ng4-e5? S hould you . . . 0- 0 immediately? S hould you always swing t h e Rf8 t o b8 , o r a re the re circumstances under which the Rf8 wil l be required to support c4 with . . . Rfc8?

With wh ite , t ry delay ing 0-0 and proceed aggressively with the idea of Nf4, h4 and hS . Use the R h 1 to spearhead an attack against the castled black ki ng . Are you able to make progress?

(3) Formanek- Conquest [A58] Hastings, 1985

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 as S.bxa6 g6 6.g3 Bg7 7.8g2 d6 8.Nh3 Nxa6 [The critical position.] 9.0-0 0-0 1 0 . f4? I [c. 1 0 . Nf4 (Fedorowicz) ]

10 Benko Gambit!

1 0 . . . Ng4 [Activat ing the Bg7 and th reatening . . . Ne3 (Bxe3/ . . . Bxb2) . ] 1 1 .e3 c4 [Thematic and stro ng. Black aims fo r . . . Na6-b4-(o r c5)-d3.] 1 2.Na3 Nb4 13.Nxc4 Bas [The Bg7 prevents b3.] 14.Qxg4 Bxc4 1 5.Rf2 Nd3 [The knight reaches the key square. Note how well the Nd3 and Bg7 wo rk to gether.] 1 S.Rd2 Qbs [Increasing the pressure o n b2 and e3.] 17.Qf3 Rfc8 [LL.Bxd5 and . . . Rxc1 + .] 1 8.Nf2 Ne1 1 [Crushing. The white Bg2 will fal l . ] 1 9.Qe4 Rxa2 20.Rxa2 Bxa2 21 .Rd1 Nxg2 22.Kxg2 Bb3 23.Rf1 Qb7 24.Qf3 f5 [Note that black is mo re interested in susta i n i n g t h e i n it iat ive t h a n i n regaining the material immediately.] 25.Rd1 Bxd1 2S.Qxd1 Res 27.e4 fxe4 28.Be3 Rxd5 29.Qa4 Rb5 1-0

(4) Spassov - Bellon Lopez [A58) Surakarta, 1 982

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxas gs S.g3 Bg7 7.Bg2 dS 8.Nh3 Nxas [The critical po sitio n. ) 9.0-0 Qbs [See Game 3 fo r 9 . . . 0-0.] 10.Nc3 0-0 1 1 . Nf4 Nd7? [ 1 1 . . . Ng4 1 2. h4 Bd7 1 3.Ne4 Rfb8 with good co mpensatio n (Fedo rowi cz) ] 12.NeSI [As in Game 1 , H ertan-Jo nes, except that black has a roo k o n a 8 . ) 1 2 . . . fxes 1 3.dxes [Attacking both the Nd7 and the Ra8.) 13 ... Bb7 14.exd7 Bxc3 [Black takes the o pport unity to weaken the white pawn structure, but this capture is usually weak unless black can find ways to sustain the initiative.) 1 5.Bd5 + Kg7 1 S. bxc3 Bxd5 1 7 .Qxd5 Ra7 1 8.0eS QdB 19.c4 [�Bb2 + ] 19 . . . Rf7 20.Bh6+ Kg8 21 .Rfb1 [�Rb3-f3 and Rb3/ R 1 b1 . ) 2 1 . . . N b4 22.a 3 NcS 23.Qe4 Ne5 24.Rb3 Nxd7 25.Rab1 Rc7 2S.a4 ReB 27.Qes Ra8 28.a5 [ I nviti ng 28 . . . Rxa5 29.Qxd7! . ) 28 ... Nf8 29.Bxf8 KxfS 30.aS Qa5 [30 . . . Rxa6?? 3 1 .Rb8] 3 1 . Rf3 Rxf3 32.exf3 Qxas

33.Re1 [�Re4-f4) 33 . . . Qb7 34.Re4 Kg7 3 5 . h 4 Rfs 36.Qxe7 + Qxe7 37.Rxe7 + KfS 38.Rxh7 Rb8 39.h5 Rb4 40.RhS Rxc4 41 .Rxg6 + 1-0

Position 3: ASS Unusual ideas: 5 . . . g6! 6.b3!?

The o pening moves:

1 .d4 Nfs 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 gSI S.b31? Bg7 7.Bb2

I n this variatio n, black has co rrectly played 5 . . . g6 (see Po sit io n 1 fo r 5 . . . Bxa6?! ) to inhibit white fro m playing b3 and Bb2. As yo u can see, white has tried 6.b3 and 7.Bb2 anyway. Will black be able to take advantage o f the unusual move o rder?

White's plan

W h ite wo u ld very m u c h l i ke to t ran s po se in to the var iat io n we explo red in Po sitio n 1 , with g3, Bg2, Nh3 o r Ne2, 0-0, and if black permits it, with freeing moves such as e4, a4, Nc3 o r Na3- b5. Yo u sho uld review the ideas in Po sitio n 1 if yo u have no t already do ne so .

Benko Gambit! 11

Black's plan

The usual idea here fo r black is . . . 0-0, ... Nxa6, . . . Bb7, and develo pment o f the queen to as.

(See game 5.)

Black can also loo k fo r favo rable o ppo rtunities to play . . . e6, especially after white plays e4. The reaso n is that after e4/ . . . e6 and the exchange o f pawns (dxe6/ . . . fxe6) , the white pawn o n e4 beco mes a very vulnerable target fo r mo st of black's mino r pieces.

(See game 6.)

B l a c k s ho u l d a l so co ns ide r t h e immediate 7 . . . d 6 with the idea o f . . . Bf5 and . . . Nxa6/ . . . Nb4/ . . . Nc2. Fedo rowlcz sho ws that after 7 . . . d6 B.e4, black achieves wo nderf ul play with ... 0-0 and . . . ReB! , putting the roo k o ppo site the white king and threatening . . . Nxe4! fo l lowed by . . . e6! with a powerful attack down the e-file.

Things to try

It is important to understand thi s critical po sitio n as well as the necessity fo r p lay ing . . . g 6 befo re . . . Bxa6. I reco mmend that yo u spend so me time making sure that yo u feel co mfo rtable o n the black side of this po sitio n. Try both o f the main ideas presented here fo r b lack , wit h stra i g htfo rward develo pment ( . . . 0-0, . . . Nxa6, and . . . Bb7) as well as the interesting . . . d6 and . . . Bf5.

In the l ines with no rmal develo pment, are yo u able to fo rce a knight to d3 with . . . N b8-a6-b4-d3? Are yo u able to achieve good activity with yo ur roo ks . . . at aB and bB perhaps? I n this variatio n, do n't be in a rush to move the Nf6

because white can then exchange the dark-squared bisho ps.

Remember that a co mputer is quite likely to evaluate white's po sitio n as superio r, in no small part because white is a pawn ahead. Do n't let that foo l yo u. Black has a perfectly playable po sitio n, and indeed, black pro bably has the better p ractical chances fro m the critical po sitio n.

(5) Lputian,S - Bikhovsky [ AS B] URS-OT Irkutsk, 1 983

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 gs 6.b3 Bg7 7.Bb2 [The critical po sitio n.] 7 . . . 0-0 8.g3 Nxas 9.Bg2 Bb7 [Applying pressure to the d5-pawn, with the idea o f . . . e6.] 1 o.e4 Qa5 + ( 10 . . . e6!? 1 1 .dxe6 fxe6 1 2.f3 Nxe4!? 1 3.Bxg7 Kxg7 1 4.fxe4 Q f6- + ] 1 1 .Bc3 Nb4 1 2.Ne2 [Threatening 1 2.a3: A) 1 2 . . . Nxe4 1 3.Bxe4 (1 3.Bxg7 Nd3+- + ) . . . Bxc3 + 1 4.Nxc3 Nxd5 1 5.b4 + -; B) 1 2 . . . Ne8! .] 12 . . . Qb5 [Sidestepping the pin with the idea of ... Nd3 + .) 1 3.a4 Nd3+ 1 4.Kf1 Qa6 15.Bf3 e6 1 6.Kg2 exd5 1 7.exd5 Nxd5 [Regaining the pawn AND preserving the initiative.] 1 8 . Bxg 7 Kxg7 1 9 . N e c3 N 5 b4 (Protecting the key Nd3.] 20.Nd2 d5 21 .Na2 Nxa2 22.Rxa2 Ne5 23.Be2 d4 + [Check! ) 24.f3 d3 25.Qa 1 f6 26.Bd1 Rfe8 27.Qc3 Rac8 28.Re1 Bd5 29.h3 c4 30.b4 Nf7 31 .Rxea Rxea (With full co mmand in the center, black co m m e n c es o pe rat io n s o n t h e kingside.) 32.b5 Qe6 33. Nf 1 Ng5 34.h4 Qh3+ 35.Kf2 Nxf31 36.Bxf3 Bxf3 37 . Kxf3 Qxf 1 + (37 . . . Qxf1 + 38.Rf2 (38.Kg4 Q f5#) . . . Q h1 + 39.Rg2 Q d 1 + 4 0 . Kf2 (40 . Kf4 Q f 1 + - + ) . . . Re2 + ) 0-1

12 Benko Gambit!

(6) Csom,l - Alburt,L [A58) New York op, 1987

1 .d4 Nfs 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as S.bxas g6 6.b3 Bg7 7.Bb2 [The critical po sitio n.) 7 . . . 0-0 8.g3 Nxas 9.Bg2 Bb7 1 0.Nh3 e61 [Fedo rowicz] 1 1 .Nf4 Nxd5 [1 1 . . . g5!?] 1 2.Bxg7 Kxg7 1 3. Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Bxd5 exd5 15.0-0 [White has s u cceeded i n exc h a n g i n g t h e dark-squared bisho ps, but i n return black has established a powerf ul pawn center. Ano ther try is 1 5 .Qxd5 Q f6 (.6. . . . Qxa1 ) . ] 1 5 . . . d4 16.a3 [To prevent . . . Nb4 and, after Nd2, to prepare . . . b4. Also po ssible is 1 6.Nd2 Nb4 1 7.a3 Nd5 1 a.ac2 Rca 1 9.Q d3 Rea 20.Nc4 Re6 2 1 . b4 N c3 2 2 . e3 d6- + (Fo rinto s-Aivarez, Metz, 1 985) .] 1 6 . . . h5 1 7.0d3 h4 1 8.Nd2 hxg3 19.hxg3 Qg5 [.6. . . . R ha , . . . Q h5 . ) 20. N f3 Qg 4 [.6. . . . Q h3, . . . Rha.] 21 .Kg2 Nc7 22.Rh1 Ne6 [.6. . . . Nf4 + . ] 23.Qd2 g5 24.Nh2 Oe4 + 25.f3 Of5 26.Ng4 Rh8 27.a4 d5 28.0a2 Raes 29.Qd2 c4 30.a5 c3 31 .0d1 Rxh1 32.Qxh1 Rh8 33.0b1 c2 34.Qg1 Res 35.a6 d3 36.exd3 Oxd3 37.a7 Nd4 38.0e3 Oxe3 39.Nxe3 Nxb3 0-1

Position 4: A58 Nf4 and h4

The o pening moves:

1 .d4 Nfs 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as S.bxas g6 6.g3 Bxas 7.Nc3 d6 8.Nh3 Bg7 9.Nf4 0-0 1 0.h4

The idea of Nf4 and h4 has not been t ried o ften by wh ite, but it is an interesting attempt to distract black fro m carrying o ut the usual queenside expansio n. We have al ready loo ked at the po ssibil ity of Nh3-f4 and h4 in the first three Power Play! po sit io ns. H ere we have a critical po sitio n in which

white has al ready played the key o pe n i n g mo ves and i s ready to co m m e n ce mor e m ea n i n gfu l o peratio ns against the black king. The main questio n, o bvio usly, is whether that attack can pro ceed quickly eno ugh to distract o r lessen the effectiveness o f black's plans.

White's plan

White intends to delay 0-0 in o rder to play h4-h5 with the suppo rt o f the Rh1 . I n many o f these l ines , white will pro ceed with h5xg6 to o pen the h- file and, if black pro ceeds too slo wly against the white queenside, perhaps by failing to marshall effective pressure o n the b2-pawn, white will be able to exchange the dark-squared bisho ps with Bh6.

(See game 7.)

White has the o ptio n in this l ine o f keeping the king i n the center behind the pawn at e2, using the e4-square fo r a knight, in so me instances en ro ute to f6 (check) where it can assist in the attack upo n the white kingside. Note that the pawn o n e2 no t o nly helps to protect the king but also prevents the

Benko Gambit! 13

black knight (eventually o n e5) fro m moving to d3. White usually develo ps the Bf1 to g2 and the queen to c2. When white do es 0-0 in this line, it usually o ccurs late in the middlegame.

Players o n the white side sho uld also watch fo r the chance to play Ne6, especially when black has a knight o n d 7 (because after . . . fxNe6/dxe6, the white e6-pawn attacks the Nd7 while the Bg2 attacks the Ra8) . The Ne6 maneuver is extremely effective if black has not yet played . . . Rfb8 because the knight then attacks both the RfB and the Bg7. If black has already moved the . . . RfB, be alert to the po ssibil ity o f Ne6/ . . . Bh8, i n effect declining the o ff er of the knight and simply moving the key bisho p o ut of harm's way.

Black's plan

White's plan is dangero us, but all the mo re so if black is ineff ective in pressing expansio n o n the queenside. I n the critical po sitio n, black do es best to begin with 10 . . . Nbd7, planning . . . QaS , . . . RfbB, and . . . NeS with increasingly effective pressure upo n the white queenside.

(See game B .)

Black must be careful not to play 1 O . . . h5 trying to prevent white fro m carrying o ut the plan o f h4-h5. The immediate . . . hS push permits white to prepare the powerful Nf4xg6 sacrifice with Q c2 !

Things to try

Try playing bo th sides o f this l ine against yo ur co mputer. With white, are yo u able to generate a kingside attack? Aga i nst t h e co m p uter , t h e real challenge here may be with black

because white will launch a powerful attack if black pro ceeds too slowly.

With black, try develo ping in the usual ways with . . . Nbd7, . . . Q a5 , . . . Rfb8, . . . Ne5. If white spends mo st of the time preparing the kingside advance, be alert to the po ssibility of . . . Bc4 attacking all of white's key pawns.

(7) Rytov - Shereshevsky,M [A58] D8ugavpi ls otbor, 1 978

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 g6 7.g3 d6 8.Nh3 Bg7 9.Nf4 0-0 1 0.h4 [The critical po sitio n.] 1 0 ••. Nbd7 [ 10 . . . h5? ! 1 1 .0c2 (�Nxg6 + - ) .] 1 1 .h5 [White's main idea . White intends to o pen the h-file and pursue a kingside initiative.] 1 1 ..• Qa5 [� . . . Ne4. Unclear is 1 1 . . . Ne5 1 2. hxg6 hxg6 1 3.Bh3 Oa5 1 4.Q c2 Rfb8 1 5.Ne6 B h 8 1 6 . f4 N e d ? 1 7 . Bd2oo (Kovacs-Benko , Debrecen, 1 975) . ] 12.Bd2 Rfb8 [ . . . Q b6!?.] 13.hxg6 hxg6 1 4.Qc2 [.6 Nxg6.] 1 4 . . . Ne5 1 5.Ne4 [C l ear i n g c3 fo r t h e B d 2 and exchanging the Nf6 which i s playing a key defensive ro le.] 1 5 .. . Qb6 1 6.Bc3 Bc4 1 7.Nxf6+ exf6 18.b3 Bb5 19.Bg2 f5 20 .0-0 [ Black has parried the kingside initiative, but white remains a safe pawn ahead.] 20 . . . Ra6 21 .Bb2 Raa8 22.Rfb1 Be8 23.Nd3 [Pro moting exc h a n g e s , part i cu la r ly t h e dark-squared bisho ps.] 23 . . . N x d 3 24.Qxd3 Qd8 25.Qd2 Bf6 26.e3 Kg7 2 7 . B f 1 B x b 2 2 8 . Qx b 2 + Qf6 29.Qxf6+ Kxf6 30.84 [To prevent . . . Ra3 and do ubling o n the a-file.] 30 . . . Rb4 31 .Bc4 Bd7 32.Rc1 Ra5 33.Rc3 Bc8 34.f4 [Preventing the black king fro m advancing and readying the queenside migratio n o f the white king.] 34 .. . Ba6 35.Ra3 Rb8 36.Kg2 ReB 37.Bxa6 Rxa6 38.Ra1 Rb8 39.Kf3 Rab6 40.Ra3 RaB 41.Ke2 Rab8 42.a5 Ra6 43.Rc4 Rb5 44.Rca4 Ra7 45.Kd3

14 Benko Gambit!

Rb8 46.Kc4 Re7 47.86 Re4+ 48.Kd3 Rxb3 + 49.Rxb3 Rxa4 50.Rb6 Ra3 + [50 . . . Ke7 5 1 . R b7 + Kf6 52 .a7 (b. Rd7+-)] 51 .Kc4 Rxe3 52.Rb3 [The a-pawn will queen.] 1-0

(8) Petrosian,A- Cseshkovsky [A58] Erevan, 1 980

1 .d4 NfS 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.bx86 Bxa6 6.Nc3 d6 7.g3 gs 8.Nh3 Bg7 9.Nf4 Nbd7 1 0.h4 [The critical po sitio n.] 1 0 . . . h6 1 1 .Qc2 Ne5 12.Bg2 0-0 13.0-0 Rb8 14.Ne4 Qd7 15.Nxf6 + exf6 16.Rb1 Rfe8 17.b3 g5 1 8.Bh3 Qb5 19.a4 Qb4 20.Nh5 gxh4 21 .Bd2 Qb7 22. Be3 Qxd5 23. Rfd 1 Qc6 24.Bg2 Qd7 25.Bxh6 Qg4 26.Nxg7 hxg3 27.Nxe8 gxf2+ 28.Kf1 Rxe8 29.Qe4 Qh5 30.Rxd6 f5 31 .Qe3 Qh2 32 .Qg 5 + N g 6 3 3 . R x g 6 + K h 7 34.Rg7 + Kh8 35.Rh7 + 1-0

Position 5: A58 Bh3

The o pening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as S.bxas g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.g3 d6 9.Bh3!? Nbd7 1 0.0-0

This variat io n is distinguished by white's 9.Bh3 . The next critical po sitio n will examine the mo re co mmo n 9.Bg2.

Yo u sho uld note that black has delayed . . . 0-Q fo r several reaso ns. First, if black plays 8 . . . 0-0, white has an additio nal o ptio n, 9.d6!?. Playing 9 . . . 0-Q also ro bs black o f the po ssibil ity o f playing 9 . . . Nbd7 and 10 . . . Nb6 .

Black's plan

In this critical po sitio n, black must decide between two moves, 1 0 . . . Nb6 and 1 0 . . . 0-0. If black plays . . . 0-0, seemingly the mo st natural move, white can take advantage o f the fact that black is o nly attacking the d5-pawn with the Nf6 to move the queen to c2 and play Ad 1 o n the next move.

(See game 9.)

If, instead, black now plays 1 0 . . . Nb6 , he will be attacking the d5-pawn with both knights, fo rcing the Qd1 to maintain its defence of the d-pawn fo r an additio nal move. Note that unlike variatio ns with the white bisho p o n g2, here the Bh3 do es not co ntribute to the defence of the d-pawn. The placement o f the bisho p o n h3 is largely respo nsible fo r the effectiveness o f 1 0 . . . Nb6 by black.

(See game 10.)

In this line, black often develo ps the Nf6 to d7, and then co ntinues with the familiar plan of . . . 0-0, . . . Rfb8, ... Ne5, and . . . c4. Black sho uld also stay alert to reso urces l ike . . . Bc4 (especially in lines where white fails to play e4) and . . . Nc4

Benko Gamhit! 15

(to app ly press u re to the weak b2-pawn).

White's plan

With Bh3 , white has aggressively posted the bishop and now prevents b lack f rom u s i n g t h e com m o n . . . Nf6/ . . . Ng4/ . . . N e5 maneuver. The drawback of the move is that the bishop cannot now assist in the defence of the pawn on d5 (and later the pawn on e4).

I n this position, white would like to play e4, but the black Ba6 pins the white e-pawn to the Rf1 . Before playing e4, white must develop the Rf1 , preferably as aggressively as possible.

If black proceeds with 1 0 . . . 0-0, white will be able to develop very aggressively with Qc2 and Rd1 . On 1 0 . . . Nb6, white has to be content with 1 1 .Re1 aiming for e4 and Qc2.

Things to try

You should certainly play both 1 0 . . . Nb6 and 1 0 . . . 0-0 against the computer.

Spend most of your time with 1 o . . . Nb6, however, and try developing an attack after moves such as . . . 0-0, . . . Rfb8, . . . Ne5, and . . . Nfd7.

Are you able to play . . . c4 (and . . . Nd3) successfully? Try moves like . . . Bc4 and . . . Nc4 to get a sense of when they work . . . and when they don't . Can you mount effective pressure against the b2- and a2-pawns? Remember that . . . Bc4 works especially well here if the computer does not over-protect the d5-pawn.

(9) Grimm,H - Bachmann,F [A58] corres BdF-Meisterkl-VorrJ9, 1 986

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 S.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 d6 7.g3 g6 B.Bh3 Bg7 9 . N f 3 [The critical position.] 9 . . . 0-0 [ More fl ex ible is 9 . . . Nbd7 (6 . . . Nb6 before . . . 0-0).] 1 0.0-0 Nbd7 1 1 . Re 1 [With the idea of e4-e5. Alternatively, white can take advantage of black's move order with 1 1 .Qc2 and 1 2.Rd 1 .] 1 1 . . . Qc7 [With the common idea of . . . Rfb8 and often . . . c4 and . . .Nc5-d3.) 1 2.e4 RfbB 1 3.Qc2 Rb7 [With another common plan, doubling the black rooks on the b-file to apply additional pressure to b2 and c3.] 14.Bf4 [A consistent plan, to play e5. ] 14 . . . Nh5 [A common response when white plays Bf4, with the idea of forcing the retreat of the Bf4 and activating the Bg7.] 1 5.Bg5 [Often white plays Bg5 when black has moved the Nf6 and the e-pawn is undefended. Black does not wish to defend with . . . f6, impeding the effectiveness of the Bg7 and limiting the scope of the Nh5.] 1 5 ... Rab8 [Doubling the roo k s , but e l i m i n a t i n g t h e protect ion o f the Ba6 . ] 1 6 . Qa 4 [Countering by attacking the Nd7 in conjunction with the Bh3, and of course, threatening the undefended Ba6.] 16 . . . Rxb2 [To counter a capture on d7 with . . . Bxc3.] 17.e5 [Attempting to seal the a1 -h8 diagonal.] 17 ... Bb5 [The only move to defend both pieces, but white can now capture black's strong bishop.] 1B.Nxb5 R2xb5 19.g4 Rb4 [The Nh5 has no squares, so black prepares . . . Nf4.] 20.Qc6 [Forcing the exchange of q ueens, when white emerges with a powerful passed pawn.] 20 ... Qxc6 21 .dxc6 Nf4 22.Bxf4 Rxf4 23.Rab1 [Taking the rook off the dangerous diagonal and threatening Rxb8 and c7 + -. ) 23 ... Rd8 24.Rb7 [Or 24.exd6! . ) 24 . . . Rxf3 25. Rxd7 ReB

J(j Benko Gambit!

26.Bg2 [Black cannot prevent c7 and Rd8.) 1 -0

Position 6: ASS Main line with Bg2 and 0-0

( 10) Goormachtigh -Van der Sterren [ASS)

The opening moves:

Winterthur, 1976

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 S.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nf3 d6 8.g3 Bg7 9 . B h 3 [The critical position.) 9 ... Nbd7 [See Game 9 for 9 ... 0-0!?.] 1 0.0-0 Nb61 [Note that the attack upon the d5-pawn prevents the Qd1 from developing immediately to c2.) 1 1 .Re1 0-0 [Note also that the Bh3 cannot i m med iat e l y h e l p to d efend t h e d5-pawn.] 12.Bf4 [Re1 and Bf4 with the idea of e4-e5. ] 12 ... h61? [ 1 2 . . . Nc4!? 1 3.0c1 Qa5 1 4.Rb1 RfbB 1 5.Nd2 NeB 1 6.Nxc4 Bxc4 with compensation -Fedorowicz.] 1 3.e4 Nc4 [Attacking b2 and with the idea of preventing e4-e5.) 14.e5 Nh5 [ 1 4 . . . Nxb2? 1 5.Qc2 dxe5 1 6. Nxe5 Nc4 1 7.Nc6] 1 5.Bc1 dxe5 [ Initiating an attack upon th e d5-pawn. Note that the Bg7 must stay to defend the h-pawn. I nteresting is 1 5 . . . Nxe5!? 1 6.Nxe5 dxe5 ( . . . Bxe5?/Bxh6) .] 16.Qc2 Bb7 17.b3 Nb6 1 8.Bb2 Nxd5 1 9.Rad1 N b4 [Powerfully breaking the pin! ] 20.Rxd8 Nxc2 21.Rxf8 + Kxf8 (Black has restored material equality while retaining a positional edge.] 22.Rc1 [ 2 2 . Re2 Nd4- + ] 22 . . . N b4 [LL .Nxa2/ . . . Bxf3.] 23. N e 1 e4 [ I nhibiting the development of the Ne1 with the idea of ... Bd4/ . . . e3 and ... Nd3.) 24.a4 Bd4 25.Bg2 [Preventing ... d3.] 25 .. . f5 [Establishing a massive pawn center. Black is winning.) 26.Ba1 Rb8 27.Nb5 Bxa1 [27 . . . e5!?] 28.Rxa 1 Bd5 [Nailing the white rook to the defence of the b-pawn.] 29.Rb1 Ng7 [En route to d4 to aid in the attack on b3.] 30.Bf1 Ne6 31 .Ng2 Nd4 32.Ne3 Bc6 33.Na3 Nd3 34.Rd 1 Rxb3 35.Nac4 Bxa4 36.Ra1 Rb4 0-1

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.0-0

This is a key position in the main line of the white fianchetto variation. Rather than attempt to play an early e4, white has developed patiently on the kingside and is now prepared to reorganize in order to play e4 and possibly also e5. B lack , of course, is not without resources here. This is, perhaps, the most Important position we've looked at thus far. Spend time against the computer becoming famil iar with b lack' s id eas for expand ing t h e queenside initiative as well as white's strategies for surviving the growing pressure.

Black's plan

Just as in the last position, black has an immediate choice between 1 0 . . . 0-0 and 1 0 . . . Nb6. Once again, 1 0 . . . Nb6, a move championed by g ra nd master Lev

Benko Gambit! 1 7

Alburt, places pressure upon the d5- pawn and prevents white from immediately developing the Qd1 . After 1 o . . . N b6 bl a c k p lays . . . 0-0 and proceeds i n c u stomary fas h i on (especially after e4 by white) towards d3. The plan usually involves . . . Nfd7-e5, . . . Nb6-c4, and . . . Rfb8.

The development of the black queen remains an open question . . . . Qa5 is the most aggressive try, though the queen there is often vulnerable to attack from Bd2 and sometimes also from Nc4. . . . Qb6 makes sense (aft er . . . Nb6-c4) , especially if white has been induced to play a3 weakening the b- pawn.

(See game 1 1.}

The black knight often moves to c4 in this line, part ly because white has a very hard time budging it from there! Playing b3 only weakens the dark squares on white's queenside and often subjects the Nc3 to a dangerous pin or attack from the black Bg7 and sometimes also from the Qa5. With the Nc4 and a white Rb1 , black also has another int eresting resource, . . . Na3, since taking the knight with bxa3 oft en permits . . . Qa5xNc3 with protection from the Bg7.

In lines in which white refrains from moving the e-pawn, black can play the rather odd-looking . . . Ba6- b7, attacking the d5-pawn in conjunction with the black kn ights to force e4 and the weakening of the d3-square.

White's plan

Against 1 o . . . 0-0, white can proceed, as in Position 5, with Oc2. Over the next few moves, obviously depending upon black's reactions, white can bring the Ra1 to b1 (to remove the rook from the

long diagonal), bring the Rf1 to d 1 , and bring the Bc1 to d2 (to protect the Nc3, and b3 to secure the queenside pawns) . This strategy works especially well against the most aggressive black efforts to develop with ... Qa5 because Bd2 car r i es wit h a n u m b e r of unpleasant threats when the Nc3 moves.

(See game 12.)

White also often plays h3. With the bishop on g2 rather than h3, only this preventive move prevents black from playing the thematic . . . Nf6-g4-e5.

Finally, Nd2 is also a useful resource, especially if white has been successful in playin g Rb1 and b3. With Nd2 (usually played while the Nc3 holds the e2-pawn) , the Bg2 plays a more important role in securing the center and the Nd2 holds many of the key squares black would otherwise like to infiltrate.

Against 1 0 . . . N b6, the d efence is somewhat more d iff icult for white. White usually continues with Re1 with the idea of e4-e5. In support of this idea, white can try Bf4, since effort s to chase the bishop with . . . Nh5 only leave the knight on an awkward square. White can continue Bd2, responding to . . . Nc4 with Bc1 !? with the idea of Nd2! , an amusing but powerful idea.

Things to try

Spend t ime here ! That 's what the grandmasters do! With black, try the . . . N b6 l i n e and exper i m e nt with maneuvers involving . . . Nc4 and . . . Qa5. Don't be afraid to play . . . Ng4-e5, or, to stay completely out of the line of the Bg7, . . . Nfd7.

18 Benkn Gambit!

With white, develop patiently. Against 1 o . . . Nb6, try the idea of Re1 and Bf4. Will the computer permit you to play e5?

(1 1 ) Smejkal - Polgar, Zsu [A58) Baden-Baden ( 10), 1 985

1 .c4 g6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 c5 7.d5 b5 8.cxb5 a6 9.bxa6 Bxa6 1 o.Nc3 Nbd7 1 1 .Qc2 Qa5 12.Rd 1 Rfb8 1 3.b3 Rb7 1 4.Rb1 NeB 15.Bd2 Qd8 1 6.Be1 Nc7 1 7.Bf1 Raa7 1 8.a4 Rbs 1 9.e4 ace 20.Bh3 NeB 21 .Nd2 Qd8 22.Bf1 Ne5 23.Bxa6 Rxa6 24.Kg2 Nf6 25.Nb5 Qd7 26.h3 g5 27.Nc4 g4 28.h4 Nf3 29.Bc3 h5 30.Nd2 Nxd2 31 .Rxd2 ReS 32.Bb2 Rb6 33.Re1 e5 34.dxe6 Qxe6 35.e5 dxes 36.Rxe5 Qc6+ 37.Kg 1 Res 38.Rd6 Qb7 39.Rxe8 + Nxes 40.Rxb6 Qxb6 4 1 . Bxg7 Nxg7 42. Qd3 Ne6 43.Qd5 Qa5 44.Nd6 Qe1 + 45.Kg2 Kf8 46.Qxh5 Ke7 47.Nf5 + Kf6 48.Ne3 1-0

( 12) Zuechner, B (FAG)­Jendrossek, P (FAG) [A58) corres S 175, 1 990

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Nf3 g6 8.g3 Bg7 9.Bg2 0-0 10.0-0 Nbd7 1 1 .Qc2 [Reaching the critical position, by transposition. Here, black has al ready castled early, eliminating the possibil ity of a quick . . . Nbd7 and . . . Nb6. In this l ine, white will often play Qc2 and Rd1 f o l l owed by e 4 . ) 1 1 . . . Q a 5 [An aggressive deployment for the queen with the idea of augment ing the pressure upon c3. ] 12.h3 [To inhibit . . . Nf6-g4.) 1 2 . . . Rfb8 1 3. R b 1 N bS [Applying pressure to the d5-pawn with the idea of . . . Nc4 or . . . c5- c4.) 1 4.Nd2 [To prevent . . . N c4 and . . . B c 4 . ) 1 4 . . . Nc4 1 5.b3 [Not Nxc4/ . . . Bxc4, attacking both the a2- and d5-pawns.] 1 5 . . . Na3 [White must g ive up his

dark-squared bishop, expanding the influence of the black Bg7 and giving black excellent chances upon the queenside dark squares.) 1 6.Bxa3 Qxa3 1 7.Rbc1 Nd7 [With the threat of . . . Bxc3 and . . . Bxe2.) 1 8.Ndb1 Qb4 1 9.Rfd 1 c4 [Forcing open the b-file and bringing the Ba6 more actively into the game.) 20. bxc4 B x c 4 2 1 . Bf3 [Overprotecting the e2-pawn with the idea of Bg4. Here, however, the Bf3 or Bg4 will be subject to attack from . . . Ne5.) 2 1 . . . Rc8 [Threatening . . . Bxa2.] 22.Qe4 [Pinning the Bc4 and threatening the black e-pawn.) 22 . . . Bf6 [Protecting he e-pawn and preparing . . . Ne5.] 23.Bg4 Qb7 [Again with the idea of . . . Bxa2.) 24.a3 Bb3 [With the additional idea of . . . Rc4.) 25.Re1 Rc4 26.Cd3 Ne5 [The Ne5 develops at the key moment. Note how strong the black piece will be aft er . . . Nxg4.) 27.Qd2 Nxg4 28.hxg4 Rd4 29.Qe3 Rxg4 30.Qf3 h5 31 .e4 Bg5 [Winning the exchange.] 32.Qg2 Bxc1 33.Rxc1 Qb6 [Preventing counterplay with f3.) 0-1

Position 7: A59 0-0 by hand with 9.f4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.f41?

A n a g g ressive (perhaps ove r ly aggressive) idea that aims to support a break i n the center with e5 . The disadvantage is rather obvious. The white king is much less secure and subject to a variety of counterattacking tries.

Benko Gambit! 19

White's plan

With f4, white aims to support the e5-push. Toward that end, he continues to develop with Nf3, g3, Kg2, and Re1 .

White should not play e5 prematurely in this l ine because the white king is subject to assorted checks and threats. Even on g2, the king will be subjected to some danger, often directly from black's placement of the queen on b7 a r aB.

(See game 13.)

Black's plan

Black should be able to gain at least equality in this line. From the diagram, black will continue with moves such as . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, . . . Na6, . . . Qb6 (with the option of . . . Qa6-c4, . . . Ob4-c4, and . . . Ob7), .. . Rfb8, and .. . Nb4-d3.

(See game 14.)

Black should also be alert to moves that open the center, including . . . e6and . . . f5, especially if the white king remains in the center.

Against an early e5 by white, black should consider ... NeB, preserving the pawn structure and bringing the force of the Bg7 to bear on the center. From eB, black can re-pa st the knight to c7 to apply additional pressure to the less defended d5-pawn.

Things to try

This position is not often played, but you should be comfortable on the black s ide . Try fol l ow ing t h e norma l development plan. D oes the computer play e5? Is ... NeB an effective counter? Are you able to play . . . Rfb8 first?

And are you able to occupy the d3-square by way of . . . Na6-b4? From there, can you marshall effective play against white's queenside pawns?

(13) Rasmussen - Beth [A59) corres Eu Hk l, 1 988

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as S.bxas Bxas S.Nc3 gS 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 dS 9.f4 [The critical position.) 9 . . . Bg7 1 O.Nf3 [With the idea of a quick e5-strike in the center.) 10 . . . 0-0 [Black completes his development in the center as quickly as possible.] 1 1 .g3 [Arranging a retreat for the king on g2.) 1 1 . . . N b d 7 1 2 . Kg2 N bS [Black increases the pressure upon the white d-pawn, partly to inhibit the e5-push.] 13.Re1 Ras 14.Qc2 Qa8 [After this move, white cannot push the e-pawn without relinquishing it. By stopping the e-pawn push, black has also prepared a counterattack in the in the center wit h . . . e6.) 1 5.b3 es [Winning back the gambit pawn because 1 6.dxe6 fxe6 brings all of black's forces into play wit h the threat of . . . d5. ) 1 S. Bb2 exd5 17.exd5 Nbxd5 18.Nxd5 Qxd5 [Black emerges with excel lent activ ity and a

20 Benko Gambit!

strong future for the rooks and a strong pawn center after . . . d5.] 19.Re2 RbS [With the idea of infiltrating with either . . . Rb4 or . . . Ra3.] 20.Bc3 Oc& [With the idea of . . . d5- d4.] 21 .Rc1 Ra3 22.0d3 d5 23.0d1 Ob5 24.Rcc2 d4 25.Bxd4 [Otherwise, black plays . . . d3- + .] 25 . . . cxd4 26.0xd4 Nd5 27.0c5 Oxc5 28.Rxc5 Nb4 29.Rc7 Rxa2 30.Rxa2 Nxa2 31 .Ng5 Nc3 32.Nxf7 Nd5 33.Rd7 Ne3 + 34.Kf3 Rxb3 35.Ng5 Nc4 + 36.Kg2 RbS 37.Ne6 Bf6 38.g4 ReS 39.Ng5 Ne5 40.Rb7 Bxg5 41 .Kg3 Bxf4 + 42.Kxf4 Nd3 + 43.Kg5 Ne5 44.Kf4 Nf7 45.h4 KfS 46.Ra7 Re7 47.Ra5 Kg7 48.Rd5 h6 49.Ra5 g5 + 50.hxg5 Nxg5 51 .Ra3 Rf7+ 52.Kg3 Ne4+ 53.Kh4 Rf4 54.Ra4 hS 55.Ra5 hxg4 56.Ra7 + Kg& 57.Ra6 + Rf6 58.Ra5 g3 0-1

(14) Malich - Ciocaltea [A59] Vrnjaka Banja, 1 972

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 a& 5.bxa6 Bxa& 6.Nc3 g& 7.e4 Bxf1 S.Kxf1 d6 9.f4 [The critical position.] 9 . . . Bg7 10.Nf3 0-0 1 1 .g3 Na6 12.Kg2 Qb6 13.Re1 Rfb8 14.Re2 Nb4 15.a4 Qa61 16.Ra3 Oc4 17.Nd2 Qd3 1 8.Nf1 Qxd 1 19.Nxd 1 c4 20.Nf2 Nd7 21 .Be3 Nd3 22.Nxd3 cxd3 23.Rxd3 Rxa4 Y.-Y.

Position 8: A59 0-0 by hand with 9.g4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a& S.bxa& g& 6.Nc3 Bxa& 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.g4

A move favored for several years by Y asser Seirawan. In many respects, the continuation seems suspect - white weakens the pawn structure around his king. But this continuation is difficult to

meet. Black must be very careful to make sure that white, ahead a pawn, is not also able to launch a powerful kingside attack with g5 and h4-h5 .

White's plan

White's main idea in this variation, an attack on the kingside starting with g5, works very well if black ignores white's possibilities there.

I f unchecked by b lack, white wi l l safeguard the king on g2 and play g4-g5 and h2-h4-h5. If after g5, black retreats with . . . Nf6-d7, white usually develops the Ng1 -f3, often with the idea of Nh2-g4 and then to f6 or h6. If instead, the black knight advances . . . Nf6-h5, white usually plays N g 1 -e2-g3 to exchange the knights and to open up the h-file for continuing activity.

I n addition, to safeguard the e-pawn, white should play f3. This move has the added advantage of defending the key g4-square against the pressure of the black Nf6 and sometimes the black queen on cS or d7.

(See game 15.)

Benko Gambit! 21

Black's plan

Bl ack runs the risk of real trouble if he proceeds without taking white's attack into consideration. In the early games with this l ine, black continued with rather normal d evelopment, . . . Bg7, ... 0-0, . . . Nfd7, . . . Na6, . . . a c7, and . . . RfbB, only to see white's rapid kingside attack win the day.

Black has other interesting and often more effective ways to counter 9.g4. After 9 ... Bg7, black can delay ... 0-0 to counter g5 with a later ... h7 -h6, opening up the h-file for the RhB. I n addition, bl ack often plays . . . a ca to place pressure on the more open white k ingside. After .. . a ce, white is forced to play f3 to secure the g4-square. Black's . . . a ce also supports . . . c5-c4 and . . . Nb8-a6-b4-d3.

(See game 16.)

Things to try

On the white side, try to press forward with g4-g5, h2-h4-h5, f3 (if necessary), and Nge2-g3 (after . . . Nh5) or Nf3-h2-g4 (after . . . Nfd7). Are you able to generate effective pressure down the h-fi le, especially if the computer castles?

With black, play . . . Bg7, but d elay castl ing. Try different timing on . . . h7-h6. S ome masters have tried . . . h6 straight away before developing the bishop to g7 (since in some variations, the bishop will capture on h6). Try developing with both . . . Nh5 and . . . Nfd7 (after white plays g5). With the knight on h5, are you able to prevent white from exchanging the knight with Nge2-g3? Remember to play . . . a ce to increase pressure on the g 4-square.

(15) Seirawan - Fedorowicz [A59) USA open, 1990

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a& 5.bxa6 g& 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 e.Kxf1 d& 9.g4 [The critical position.] 9 . . . Bg7 1 O . Kg2 0-0 1 1 . f3 N bd7 12.Nge2 aas 1 3.Bf4 Rfbe 1 4.0d2 Nee 15.Rac1 Ne5 16.b3 Qa6 11.Bxe5 Bxe5 1e.Rc2 Rb4 1 9.Nd1 Nf6 20.Ne3 Nd7 21 .Nc4 Bg7 22.Nc1 Nb& 23.Nxb6 Qxb& 24.Ne2 Qa6 25.Rd1 Rb7 26.Qe3 Qb& 27.Rdd2 RaJ 2e.f4 Ode 29.Ng1 Rb4 30.0e2 Qd7 31 .h3 f5 32.gxf5 gxf5 33.Rc4 Rxc4 34.Qxc4 Qa7 35.exf5 Rxa2 36.Qe2 Rxd2 37.Qxd2 Qa 1 3e.Nf3 Qb1 39.Qe3 Qxf5 40.Qxe7 Qxd5 41 .Cee+ Bfe 42.0e3 h6 43.Kg3 Kf7 44.0c3 �-�

(1 6) Fontinha,R - Edwards,J [A59] APCT e7RS5 cr, 19ee

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 g& &.Nc3 Bxa& 7.e4 Bxf1 e.Kxf1 d& 9.g4 [The critical position.] 9 . . . Bg7 [B lack can also try . . . a ca immediately or simply . . . Nbd7 with the idea of respondi ng to g5 with . . . Nh5 and ... h6 without wasting time for . . . Bg7.) 10.Kg2 Qce [Applying pressure to g4 and oft en with the idea of ... a as or ... a b7.) 1 1 .g5 Nh5 1 2.Nge2 [Black needs to be careful here because white is th reaten ing to p lay N g3 with favora b le s i m p l i fi cat i o n s . A n " un-Benko" like response is required .) 12 . . . h6 [O pening the h-f i l e . This maneuver is the reason why black should delay . . . 0-0 in this line.) 13.gxh6 Bxh6 14.Bxh6 Rxh6 15.h3 [A new move. White hopes to stop . . . g5-g4 and to promote an attack with f4.) 15 .. . g5 [Stopping f4. The idea is . . . Nd7-e5 and . . . g4.) 1 6.Qd2 [Pinning the g-pawn.] 16 ... Rg6 11.Kh2 [1 7.Rag1 Nd7 1 e.Kf1 Ne5+ ] 1 7 . . . Nd7 1 e.f4 gxf4 1 9.Nxf4

22 Benko Gambit!

Ne5 20.Qe3 [20.Raf1 Ng4 + 21 .hxg4 Qxg4 2 2 . N g 2 N g3 23 . Kg 1 Nxh 1 24.Kxh1 Kd7 25.Kg1 RagS 26.Rf2 Qh3 27.Qe2 KdS 2S.Qf1 Qe3 29.Kh2 Rxg2 + 30.Rxg2 RhS#] 20 .. . Rg3 [The threat is . . . Nf3 + .] 21 .Rhg 1 ? [21 .0xg3 Nxg3 22.Kxg3 Kd7 with excellent play for the queen and rook.] Ng4 + [21 . . . Ng4 + 22. hxg4 Rxe3 23.gxh5 Kd7 24.Kg2 (With the idea of Kf2) 24 . . . c4- + ] 0-1

Position 9: A57 0-0 by hand with 9.Nge2

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5 .bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 a.Kxf1 d6 9.Nge2

With 9.Nge2, white introduces a solid though somewhat passive plan. He aims to make it difficult for black to break through on the queenside by over-protecting the Nc3, but unl ike 9.Nf3, white's ninth move also does nothing to promote the central e5 pawn break.

White's plan

Without much chance for a di rect counterattack with e4-e5, white has to settle for trying to construct the best defence against black's pressure. White usually begins by securing the king with g3 and Kg2.

In response to the usual . . . Qb6, white plays Rb1 and a3, with the additional idea of countering black's mounting pressure down the b-file (after . . . RfbS) with b3 . Note that b3 is possible because white has removed the Ra 1 from the long diagonal with Rb1 . I n addition, the pawn on a3 prevents black f rom d evel o p i n g n o rma l ly with . . . Na6-b4.

(See game 17.)

A common maneuver in this line for white is to secure the center with f3 and to add to the defensive strength of the queenside with Rf1 -f2.

Black's plan

Black has a number of perfectly reaso nab le p lans he re . Afte r completing kingside development with . . . Bg7 and . . . 0-0, black will have to decide whether to develop the NbS to a6 or d7. The plan with . . . Na6 is usually accompanied by . . . RfbS. By contrast, after . . . Nbd7, black has the additional option of . . . Ra6 and . . . Rfa8.

As in most of these variations, black seeks to play . . . Nf6-g4-e5 if white fails to play h3. The black queen will often develop to b6 to intensify pressure on the b-file and, after a3 by white, to threaten . . . RfbS and . . . Qb3 since the exchange of queens will only intensify black 's queenside pressure (with ... Rxb3 and ... RSbS).

Benko Gambit! 23

One other interesting idea is the central break with . . . e6. The following game, played by Benko himself, illustrates how q u i c k ly b lack ca n come t o dominate the center once the white central pawns have been exchanged.

(See game 18.)

Things to try

You may well enjoy playing the black side in this variation. With black, begin by completing your development (with . . . Bg7 and . . . 0-0) and then experiment with both . . . Na6 and . . . Nbd7. Are you able to generate meaningful threats on white's queenside with . . . Qb6, . . . Na6, and . . . RfbB? Does the computer permit . . . Na6-b4-d3? What about . . . Nf6-g4-e5?

When you play white, begin with g3 and Kg2. Remember to counter pressure down the queenside with Rb1 , a3, and then b3.

As you can see, white often leaves the Bc1 on its starting square to defend a3. In some lines, however, you may want to try Bf4 with the idea of e5.

( 17) Nowak - Sznapik [A59) Poland, 1 986

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8 .Kxf1 d6 9.Nge2 Bg7 1 0.g3 0-0 1 1 .Kg2 Qb6 12.Rb1 Na6 13.a3 Rab8 14.b3 e6 1 5.Qd3 Nc7 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.Bf4 Rbd8 1 8.b4 Ng4l 19.Nd1 d5 20.bxc5 Qc6 21 .Bxc7 dxe4 22.Qb5 Qxc7 2 3 . h 3 R b 8 24 .Qa 6 R x b 1 2 5 . Qxe6 + Qf7 2 6. Qxf7 + Rxf7 27.hxg4 Rc7 28.Ne3 Rxh1 29.Kxh1 Axes 30.Kg2 Ras 31 .Nc4 Ra4 32.Nd6 Be5 33.Nb7 Rxa3 34.Nc5 Ra2 35.Kf1 Ra 1 + 3 6 . K g 2 R e 1 37. N f4 B d 4 38.Nce6 Bb6 39.g5 Kf71 0-1

( 18) Gross - Benko [A59) Snowmass, US Open, 1 968

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8 . Kxf1 d 6 9 . N g e 2 [The critical position.) 9 ... Bg7 [Black proceeds to complete his development. ] 1 O .g3 [With the idea of securing the king on g2. Note that the development of the Ne2 lessens the likelihood of e4-e5.) 1 o . . . 0-0 1 1 . Kg 2 Q b 6 [Typical development, often with the idea of . . . Na6 or . . . Nbd7 and . . . RfbB.) 12.Rb1 Na6 1 3.b3 Nc7 [Black will break in the center with . . . e6 with the idea of creating a subsequent pawn mass in the center.) 1 4.f3 [Further securing the position of the king and supporting the center.] 1 4 . . . e6 1 5.dxe6 fxe6 [The exchange activates the RfB and permits . . . d5.) 16.Be3 Qc6 17.Qd2 d5 1 8.exd5 exd5 1 9.Bf4 d4 [With the idea of . . . Nd5-e3.) 20.Na4 Nfd5 21 .Rhf1 Ne6 22. Rf2 d 3 23. N g 1 [23.Qxd3 Rxf4 24. Nxf4 N exf4 + 25. gxf4 Nxf4 + ) 23 .. . Ndxf4+ 24.gxf4 Nxf4+ 25.Kh1 Bd4 26.Rff1 Ne2 [26 . . . Ne2 27.Nxe2 Rxf3] 0-1

Position 1 0: A 59 0-0 by hand with 1 O.g3

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.g3

Usually white develops with g3 to fianchetto the Bf1 -g2. Here, of course, the light-squared bishop has already been exchanged, leaving the king on f1 . To complete d evelopment and to activate the Rh1 , white places the Kf1 on g2. Compare this to Position 1 1 . There, white has a similar ide--

24 Benko Gambit!

and Kf1 -g1 -h2. Certainly g3 and Kg2 is faster, but here white often chooses to p lay h3 to p revent t h e u sua l . . . Nf6-g4-e5.

White's plan

White continues immediately with Kg2 and - as we said earl ier - after normal black development ( . . . Bg7 and . . . 0-0) , usually plays h3 to prevent . . . Nf6-g4-e5.

The white Rh1 normally develops to e1 to prepare e4-e5. Very often, the rook later moves to e2 to further safeguard white's second rank. White usually attempts to develop the Bc1 to d2 and the queen to c2 to over -protect the Nc3. In lines where black has aggressively re-posted his pieces to the queenside, wh ite can a lso consider B c 1 -g5, especially if black has not defended the e7-pawn.

Rather than play h3, white can also try Oe2 with the idea of safeguarding the second rank, supporting the center with Rhd1 , and preparing e5.

White should avoid the exchange of queens, somewhat easier after Qe2 and . . . Qb6-a6. The endgame after the exchange is often very much to black's

advantage, in large part because white will be virtually unable to force the e5-break without the queen's support.

Black's plan

Those of you who want to play the Benko Gambit with black should learn to feel comfortable here because you are likely to face this position rather often . Beg in by com plet ing your d evelopment with the th ree most natural moves at your disposal : . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, and . . . Nbd7.

After that, your plan will depend in part on white. If white fails to play h3, by all means take advantage of the oversight by playing . . . Ng4-e5.

(See game 19.)

Against white systems that involve Oe2, consider an immediate . . . Qb6-a6 welcoming queenless play that tends to favor black, repositioning the rooks to the a- and b-files and aggressively posting minor pieces on b4, e5, and d3.

When white is careful to develop with h3, Qc2, and Re1 , black should try a scheme that develops aggressively on the queenside. An interesting plan, for example, is . . . Ra8-a7 with the idea of . . . Qaa and . . . Rfb8.

(See game 20.)

Black can also try . . . Nd7-b6, . . . Qd7, and . . . Na4. The point here is to exchange the knight for the key white Nc3 with a subsequent weakening of the white queenside.

Things to try

With the white pieces, try proceeding with normal development: Kg2, h3, Re1 , and Oc2. Under what circumstances

should you develop the Bc1 to d2? To g5?

With black, develop quickly with . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, and . . . N bd7. Remember to respond to Qe2 with . . . Qb6 and . . . Qa6. Does the computer play h3 to prevent . . . Ng4-e5?

After h3 by white, try to develop with . . . Ra7 and . . . Qa8.

{1 9) Schoen,W - Polgar,Zso [A59] Reykjavik op, 1988

1 .d4 NfS 2.e4 es 3.d5 bS 4.exb5 as 5.bxas gS S.Ne3 Bxas 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.e4 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 dS 1 0.g3 [The critical position.] 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 . Kg2 N bd 7 1 2.Re1 Ng4 1 3.Re2 QbS 14.Bf4 Rfb8 1 5.Re1 OaS 1 S.Ree2 Nge5 1 7.Bxe5 Nxes 1 8.Nxe5 Bxes 1 9.0e1 Rb4 20.b3 c4 21 .Nd 1 Qb5 22.bxe4 Rxe4 23.0d2 Rd4 24.0e1 Rb4 25.Qe3 Qb7 2S.f3 B d 4 27 .0d3 B e s 2 8 . R b 2 R a a 4 29.Ree2 Qa7 30.0e2 Bd4 31 .Rxb4 Rxb4 32.Qd3 Ra4 33.0d2 Ra3 34.Nf2 hS 35.Nd3 Be3 3S.Oe2 Qd4 37.Ne1 Bxe1 38.Rxe1 Rd3 39.Re2 Rd1 40.0f2 Qa1 41 .Rd2 Rb1 42.h4 Kh7 43.Re2 R h 1 4 4 . a 4 R b 1 45 . R a 2 Rg 1 + 4S.Qxg 1 Qxa2+ 47.Kh3 Qxa4 48.g4 hxg4 + 49.Qxg4 Qd 1 50.0g2 es 51 .dxes fxes 52.Kg4 d5 53.Kf4 dxe4 54.fxe4 QdS+ 55.Ke3 Qa3+ 5S.Kd4 OdS + 57.Ke3 �-�

{20) Rajkovie - Fedorowiez [A59] Bruxelles II, 1 987

1 .d4 NfS 2.e4 eS 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 gS 5.exb5 aS S.bxaS Bg7 7.Ne3 BxaS 8.e4 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 dS 10.g3 [The critical position. White castles by hand with g3 and Kg2.] 10 . . . 0-0 1 1 .Kg2 Nbd7 1 2.h3 [To p revent b lack f rom playi n g . . . Nf6-g4-e5.] 1 2 . . . Ra7 [With the idea of . . . Qa8 and . . . Rfb8. After Nb5, black counters with . . . Rb7.] 1 3.Re 1 Qa8

1 4. Re2 [ 1 4 .e5 dxe5 1 5.Nxe5 Nxe5 1 6.Rxe5 Nxd5! 1 7.Rxd5 e6+] 1 4 ... NbS [With the idea of . . . Nc4 or . . . Na4, exchanging the knight for the Nc3.] 15.Qd3 Na4 [ 1 5 . . . Nfd7!? 1 6.Bg5 Ne5 1 7.Nxe5 Bxe5 1 8.Bh6 Rb8 = ] 1S.Bg5 hS 17.Bxfs Bxf6 18.e5 dxes [ 1 8 . . . Bg7 1 9.e6 f5! 20.Rb1 Rb8 21 .Nxa4 Rxa4oo (Fedorowicz) ] 19.Nxe5 Nxb2 [The Re2 is overloaded.] 20.0f3? [20.Qe4! Na4 2 1 . Rc1 = (Fedorowicz)] 2 0 . . . R a 3 1 21 .Re1 Na4 22.Nd71 Bxe3 23.Nxf8 Bb2 [23 . . . Qxf8? 24.Re3! ] 24.0e4 Qxf8 [24 . . . Bxc1 25.Nxg6 Bg5!- + ] 25.Rxb2 Nxb2 2S.Rxe5 Ras 27 . R e7 Res 28 . Rxc8 Qxe8 29 . 0xe7 N e4 [29 . . . 0a8o] 30.0b4 086 31 .84 Nd6 32.85 Nc4 33.0b8 + Kg7 34.Qe7 Nx85 35.dS 088+ 36.Kh2 Ne6 37.d7 Nde 38.0cs Kh7 39.0e7 085 40.h4 Kg7 41.Kg2 0d5+ 42.Kg1 NeS 43.Kf1 g5 44.hxg5 hxg5 45.Kg 1 Od4 46.Kf1 QfS 47.Qe8 Kg6 48.Kg2 KfS 49.f3 Kg6 50.0gB+ Kh6 51 .Kh3 Qf5+ o-1

Position 1 1 : A59 0-0 by hand

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.exb5 as 5.bxa6 gS S.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 dS 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.h3

This variation is quite similar to Position 1 0, except that white invests an extra early move to safeguard the king on h2 rather than g2. The reasoning is rather easy to u nderstand. White normally plays h3 anyway to prevent black from playing . . . Nf6-g4-e5, and in the last position, you may have noticed that b lack occas iona l l y p lays . . . Ra7 (or . . . Ra6)/ . . . Qa8 to place the queen on the long diagonal (opposite the white king on g2) . Here, the white king is far

26 Benko Gambit!

more securely placed, albeit at the cost Black's plan of a valuable tempo.

White's plan

After 1 0 . h3 , white's plan is rather obvious, to walk the king from f1 to h2 without playing g3. White then develops Rhe1 , often with the idea of Re2 , securing the second rank. White can then aim to play Qe1 , further defending the Nc3 with the idea of e4-e5.

(See game 2 1.}

The idea of Re2 and Qe1 is powerful enough that white should delay the development of the queen, though in l i nes where b lack mounts ear ly pressure on the Nc3, white may want to consider Qc2. White should be careful a b out p l a y i n g a3 beca use t h e b3-square then gives black a n inroad into the white queenside.

One of the problems facing white is that the king on h2 ultimately is less well placed than on g1 or h1 . White often has to play Kh2-g1 or h1 later, wasting yet another tempo.

Against this system, black will . . . 0-0 and then face an important decision with the NbS. The usual plan is . . . Nbd7 with the idea of . . . QaS, . . . RfbB, and against Rhe1 -e2 by white, . . . R b8-b4 with pressure on the e-pawn (as well as the possibility of . . . Nd7-b6-c4).

(See game 22.)

Alternatively, black can try . . . Na6 with the idea of . . . Nd7 (activating the Bg7 and aiming eventually for . . . NeS) and . . . Nb4.

Things to try

There is relatively little experience in this line, so feel free to explore.

With white, you should begin with Kf1 -g1 -h2 and then Re1 . From there, do you see any ways to make meaningful progress? Try Rc2, Rb1 , and various methods for activating the queen, especially Qe1 .

Under what circumstance can you develop the Bc1 to d2? What about to gS?

With black, you will find that the extra t i m e req u i red by t h e Kf 1 -g 1 -h2 maneuver gives you enough time to develop effectively. After . . . 0-0, try both . . . Na6 (with the idea of . . . Nd7 and ... Nb4) and . . . Nbd7 (with the idea of . . . QaS and . . . RfbB) . In both of these lines, are you able to recover your pawn without ceding the initiative?

{21 ) Schacht, H - Lengerer [A59) Berlin Steglitz-ch, 1 987

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.Nf3 d6 8.e4 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 Bg7 10.h3 [The critical position. ] 10 . . . 0-0 1 1 .Kg 1 Qb6 12.Kh2

Nfd7 13.Re1 Na6 1 4.Re2 Nb4 1 5.Bg5 Rfe8 16.Rd2 Ne5 1 7.Nxe5 Bxe5 + 18.Kg1 Ra7 1 9.83 N86 20.Rc1 Rb7 21 .0e2 Qa5 22.Rcc2 Nc7 23.Nd 1 NbS 24.Be3 Nd4 25.Bxd4 Bxd4 26.Ne3 R b 3 27. N c4 0 8 8 2 8 . R d 3 R e b a 29.Rxb3 Rxb3 30.Kh1 Kg7 31 .Qd1 Qb8 32.0e2 088 33.Qd1 Qb8 34.Kg1 088 35.Rd2 Qb8 36.0c2 Qb5 37.Kh2 Qb8 38.84 Qb4 39.85 Qb5 40.Rd3 Rxd3 41 .Qxd3 Bxf2 42.b3 Qb4 43.Qb 1 Qb5 44.Qa2 Bd4 45.86 Qb4 46.Nd2 Be5 + 47.Kh1 Qc3 48.Kg 1 Bd4 + 49.Kf1 Qe3 50.Nf3 Qc1 + 51 .Ke2 Qe3 + �-�

(22) Andri8nov - Vasjukov [A59] Moscow ch, 1 982

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Nf3 g6 s.e4 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 Bg7 10.h3 [The critical position. Here. white will castle by hand by playing Kf1 -g1 -h2. The h3-pawn already prevents black from playing . . . Ng4-e5.] 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 . Kg 1 N bd 7 1 2 . K h 2 Qa5 [Straightforward development with the idea of . . . Rfb8 and . . . Nb6-c4 or a4.] 13.Re1 [With the idea of e4-e5 . ) 1 3 . . . Rfb8 1 4.Re2 [Overprotecting the b-pawn.] 1 4 ... Rb4 [Applying pressure to the white e-pawn and, in some l ines, continuing with . . . Rd4. ] 15.Kg 1 [A useful preventive move, because black will often develop later with . . . Be5.] 15 .. . Ne8 [Activating t h e B g 7 , and wi th the idea of . . . Nc7-a6-b4.] 16.Rc2 [Overprotecting the Nc3, with the idea of Bd2.] 1 6 . . . Qa6 17.Bd2 Nb6 18.Rb1 Nc4 1 9.Be1 Qb7 20.0c1 Ne5 21 .Nxe5 Bxes 22.Re2 Nf6 23.Qc2 Qa6 24.b3 c4 25.Nd 1 cxb3 26.axb3 [Black has succeeded in leaving white with a weak, isolated b-pawn. Note that all of black's pieces are occ u py ing active posts . By contrast, white's pieces are defensively

placed.] 26 . . . Rc8 [Seizing the third queenside file.] 27.Qxc8 + [Winning two rooks for the queen, but black's activity persists.] 27 ... Qxc8 28.Bxb4 086 [Attacking the rook, and white cannot prevent the q u e e n from infiltrating d3.] 29.Re1 Qd3 [Attacking both the Rb1 and the e-pawn.] 30.Ne3 Nxe4 3 1 . N g 4 Bf4 32. Rbd 1 Qc2 33.Rd4 f5 [The Ng4 must not move due to . . . Qxf2 + .] 34.Rdxe4 fxe4 35.g3 Bg5 36.h4 Bc1 37.885 Bb2 38.Bd8 Kf7 39.b4 Bc3 40.Ne3 Qb2 41 .Rd 1 Qxb4 42.Rc1 Bd2 43.Rc8 Bxe3 44.fxe3 Qe1 + 0-1

Position 1 2: ASS 8.Nd2 (�9.e4 Bxf1 1 0.Nxf1 )

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bx86 7.Nf3 d6 8.Nd2

With 8 .Nd2 , white establ ishes the possibil ity of playing e4 without having to give up the right to 0-0 because after . . . Bxf1 white can recapture with the N d 2 . W h it e then c o m p l etes development rather effectively with Ne3 and 0-0. This may seem a conspicuous waste of time and, indeed, the system is no longer much favored by masters, but it should be noted that the other a l ternat ives at wh i te 's d i sposal , including the many systems that involve castling by hand, also often involve large investments of time.

28 Benko Gambit!

White's plan

As noted above, white has played Nd2 with the idea of playing e2-e4 in a single move without having to answer . . . Bxf1 with Kxf1 . I nstead, white answers Nxf1 with the idea Nf1 -e3 and 0-0.

(See game 23.)

From e3, the knight also has access to a strong natural square at c4. I n this system, white develops natural ly with moves like Oc2, Rab1 , and b3. The Bc1 later moves to d2 to over-protect the N c3 . White can aim for the usual defensive plan of a4 and NbS once the Ra1 has moved to b1 .

Black's plan

Black has relatively little to fear from this system, although Benko suffered one of his few gambit losses in this line. After 8 . . . Bg7 9.e4 Bxf1 10. Nxf1 , black plays . . . 0-0 and then completes development with . . . Nbd7 (with the idea of . . . NeS) , . . . Qb6 (applying pressure on b2 and with possible incursions on b3 or a transfer to a6), . . . Rfb8, and possibly

. . . Nf6-e8-c7 with a perfectly playable game.

Black has two other interesting options. After 8. Nd2, he can t ry a . . . QaS !? because 9.e4 Bxf1 1 0.Kxf1 i s forced (1 0.Nxf1 Nxe4) . Black can also simply . . . 0-0, inviting white to capture on a6. Black then pursues normal Benko development, with ... Nfd7 and either . . . NeS or . . . Nb6.

(See game 24.)

Things to try

With white, proceed with the main idea of Nxf1 -e3 and 0-0. Try a variety of schemes to develop your pieces. After Rab1 , are you able to play b3, a4, and NbS? Where are you able to develop the Bc1?

With black, try the main development plan of . . . Bg7, . . . Bxf1 , . . . 0-0, and .. . Nbd7. Under what circumstances are you able to play . . . N eS? Are you comfortable with the redeployment of the . . . Nf6-e8-c7?

Also try 8 .. . QaS!? Then, after 9.e4 Bxf1 1 O.Kxf1 Bg7, try different developments like . . . 0-0, . . . Nbd7, and . . . Qa6 + .

(23) Doda,Z - Witkowsky,S [ASS] POL-ch, 1970

1 .Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.c4 b5 5.cxb5 a6 6. bxa6 Bxa6 7.Nc3 d6 8.Nd2 (The critical position. ] 8 .. . 8g7 9.e4 [The point. White can play e4 without having to give up the right to 0-0.) 9 . . . Bxf1 1 0.Nxf1 (With the idea of Ne3, o-o. and Nc4.] 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .Ne3 N bd7 1 2.0-0 Oa5 1 3.0c2 [ 1 3.Nc4 Qb4) 1 3 . . . N b6 [Contest ing the c4-square.] 14.Bd2 Oa6 1 5.b3 RfbS 1 6.a4 NeB [One of the add itional benefits of the Ne3 is to counter

. . . Nf6-g4-e5.) 1 7. 8 5 N d 7 [.6. . . . Ne5.] 1 8.Nc4 [With an admirable position. White is ready to secure the queenside with Ra4.) 1 8 ... Nc7 [.6. ... Nb5.) 1 9.Ra4 e6 [Striking at the center, hoping for counterplay with . . . d5.) 20.Rd 1 Ra7 21 .Be3 exd5 22.Nxd5 NbS 23.Ncb6 Ne5 24.b4 Nd4 25.Qa2 [25.Bxd4! ) 25 . . . Ng4 26.bxc5 dxcs 27.Bg5?? [27 . Bxd4 Bxd4 28. Rd2±) N e 2 + [27 . . . Ne2 + 28. Kh1 (28.Kf1 Nc3 + ) Nxf2 + ] o-1

(24) Zimmermann - Wengler [ASS) corres DDR 1 ekl, 1 990

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.bxa6 Bx86 6.Nc3 d6 7.Nf3 g6 8.Nd2 [The critical position.) 8 ... Bg7 9.e4 0-0 1 0.Bxa6 Nxa6 1 1 .o-O Nd7 12.Nc4 Nb6 1 3.Qe2 Nxc4 1 4.Qxc4 Qb6 1 5.Rb1 Q b 4 1 6.Qd 3 Rfb8 1 7. Bd 2 Qd 4 1 8.Qxd4 Bxd4 1 9.b3 Nc7 20.a4 Rb7 21 .Ne2 Bg7 22.b4 cxb4 23.Rxb4 Rxb4 24.Bxb4 Rxa4 25.Rb1 Na6 26.Bd2 Rxe4 27.Be3 Rb4 28.Rc1 Rb8 29.g3 h6 30.h4 Kh7 31 .Kg2 Rb5 32.Nc3 Bxc3 33.Rxc3 Kg7 34.Kf3 Rxd5 35.Ra3 Nc5 36.Ra7 e6 37.Rc7 Nb3 38.g4 h5 39.g5 Nd4 + 40.Kg2 Nf5 41 .Rc4 Nxe3 + 42.fxe3 Rc5 43.Ra4d5 44.Ra3 Rc4 45.Kg3 Re4 46.Rb3 Kf8 47.Rb8 + Ke7 48.Rb7 + Kd6 o-1

Position 1 3: A57 5.e3 (with 8.Bd2)

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5 + 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Bd2

In many of the positions we have seen, black plays ... Bxf1 when white develops the e-pawn. Here, white develops the e-pawn to e3 (rather than e4 where black would immediately capture it) to apply pressure to the b5-square and to prepare the bxa6 capture. Now, with the bishop active along the f1 -a6 diagonal, black cannot play a later . . . Bxf1 .

For white, the down-side is rather obvious. Playing the e-pawn from e3 to e4 will now require an extra move (as opposed to e2-e4 in a single move), giving black time to pursue one of several interesting strategies.

In this line, black uses the queen to pin the white Nc3 while the Nf6 and Bb7 apply considerable pressure to the white d-pawn. White responds 8.Bd2 to break the pin on the Nc3 and on the next move to defend the d-pawn and to secure the center with e3-e4.

Black's plan

It is black's move, so let's examine black's plan f i rst. Black wants to re-apply pressure to the white d5-pawn. Black must therefore retreat the queen off the e1 -a5 diagonal. So he plays

.10 Benko Gambit!

1 1 OhH, again with the threat of . . . Nxd5. Nolo that black has enticed the white B e: 1 to d2 where It obstructs the Influence of the Qd1 over d5.

Note that the placement of the white bishop on b5 offers some interesting tactical possibil ities to black. The queen cont inues to attack b5 , requiring defence by the white Nc3. In addition, the development of the white Bf1 -b5 has left the g2-square undefended, so black often plays . . . e6, inviting white to capture the e-pawn because . . . Bxg2 wins the white Rh1 .

After 8 . . . Qb6, white usually plays 9.Qb3 in an effort to defend both critical squares at b5 and d5. 9 . . . e6 is the consistent response, to apply pressure to the white center and to strengthen the influence ofthe black Bb7. Note that b lack invites the transit ion to an endgame after Bb5-c4/ . . . Qxb3 because black's pieces retain considerable scope, especially after ... Na6. Note also that the Qb6 has, in some lines, the tactical t h reat (after . . . e6xd5) of ... Qe6 + applying additional pressure to the key d5-square.

(See games 25 and 26.)

White's plan

After 8 . . . Qb6, many white players seek to avoid the tactical complications that arise from 9.0b3. Wh ite has two interesting alternatives.

First, white can lessen the pressure on the Bb5 and d-pawn by playing 9.Bc4. He then aims to hold tight to the center with e3-e4 and castle kingside as quickly as possible by playing either Nf3 or Nge2. You should investigate the lines after 8 . . . Qb6 9.Bc4 e6! 10.e4 Nxe4 (1 1 .Nxe4 exd5 recovers the piece with

spirited play for black) . White's best chance in this line may well be to play to hold the center with 1 1 .Nf3 or even 1 1 .Nge2 and 0-0.

Second, white can compl icate the position further still by playing s . . . Qb6 9.Qf3!? intending to counter black's pressure upon the long d iagonal with 9 . . . e6 10.e4.

Things to try

As you have probably gathered, this line represents one of the most critical in the Benko Gambit. Tactical ly incl ined players on both sides will welcome the complications here.

With white and black, you should examine the position after 8 . . . Qb6 9.Qb3 e6 1 0.e4 Nxe4! , a nice tactical shot based on the line 1 1 .Nxe4 Bxd5 1 2.Qd3 f5 (or even 1 2 . . . Qb7!?) with profoundly interesting complications.

With white, try holding the d5-pawn by playing 8 . . . Qb6 9.Qf3 e6 1 0.e4 .

With both white and black, try playing against the computer in the position after 8 . . . Qb6 9.Bc4 e6. Do you find 10.Qf3 playable or too dangerous for white?

(25) Plaskett,J - Barlov,D [A57) Bor, 1985

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 a& S.e3 axbS 6.Bxb5 OaS + 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Bd2 [The critical position.] 8 . . . 0b6 9.0b3 e6 10.e4 Nxe4 1 1 .Nxe4 BxdS 12.0d3 f5 13.Ng3 Bxg2 1 4.N1e2 Bxh1 1 5.Nxh1 Be7 1 6.Nhg3 o-o 1 7.a4 Nc& 18.Bc3 dS 1 9.0e3 eS 20.Bxe5 Bg5 21 .f4 Rae8 22.Bxc6 Qxc6 23.Rc1 Be7 24.b4 Bd6 25.Rxc5 Bxc5 26.Qxc5 Qxa4 27.0xd5 + Kh8 28.0d4 Rf7 29.Kf2 Od7 30.Qxd7 Rxd7 31 .Nxf5

Benko Gambit! 31

Rb7 32.Nd6 Reba 33.Nxb7 Rxb7 34.Bc3 Kg8 35.Nd4 Kf7 36.b5 Ke7 37.Bb4 + Kd7 38.Ke3 Rb8 39.Kd3 g6 40.Bc5 Ra8 41 .b6 Kc8 42.Kc4 Kb7 43.Kb5 Ra2 44.Ne6 Rb2 + 45.Bb4 Kca 46.Nc5 1-0

(26) Nickoloff - Wolff [A57) Toronto, 1 986

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5 + 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Bd2 [The critical position.) 8 ... Qb6 9.Qb3 [9.Qf3!?] 9 ... e6 10.e4 [10.dxe6? Bxg2) 10 ... Nxe4 [The critical move in this line. The variation depends upon whether th is m ove is p layab le . ] 1 1 .Nxe4 Bxd5 1 2.Qd3 Qb7 [ 1 2 . . . f5!?] 1 3.f3 c4 1 4.Bxc4 Bxc4 1 5.Qxc4 d5 [Winning back the piece and retaining good piece activity. Note how the Rae prevents Qa4 + .] 1 6.Qc2 dxe4 1 7.Bc3 [Aiming for rapid development, and trying to stop the development of the Bf8.) 17 ... Bb41 18.Ne2 exf3 1 9.gxf3 Bxc3 + 20.Qxc3 0-0 [Black's kingside is safe while the white king has no sanctuary. Still , white has outside connected passed pawns.] 21 .Rg1 g6 2 2 . R g 3 [22.Rg4!?] 22 . . . N c 6 [ St ra ightforward d evelo p m e nt Illustrates black's edge here. White's pieces remain uncoordinated.] 23.Rg4 Rfc8 24.Ng3 Rab8 25.Ne4 [25.b3 Nb4!] 25 . . . Q x b 2 26 .Nf6 + Kg7 27.Nh5 + Kf8 28.Qxb2 Rxb2 [Ahead a pawn and still with an overwhelming position. ] 29.Ng3 Ne5 o-1

Position 1 4: A57 5.e3 (with 8.Nge2)

The opening moves

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5 + 7.Nc3 Bb7 a.Nge2

In this critical position, white aims to avoid the unusually complex tactics of 8.Bd2 (Position 1 3) and instead offers to return the Benko pawn immediately for quick development and active play in the center. As you can see, black now captures the white pawn on d5 with either the Nf6 or the Bb7. Deciding between these two captures is the immediate, critical decision for black.

White's plan

White aims for quick development with 0-0 and e4, then when the black knight remains on (or returns to) f6, tries to play e4-e5.

If black plays . . . Nxd5 and . . . Nxc3, white recaptures with the Ne2 and continues with e4 and Qd3 (intending Bf4 and Qg3, applying pressure to d6 with the idea e4-e5).

(See game 27.)

If after 8 . . . Nxd5 9.0-0 black retreats . . . Nd5-f6, white can play e4 with the idea of e5. Also strong in this line is Bf4 with the idea of Bxb8 followed by Qxd7 mate!

32 Benko Gambit!

After 0-0, white often redeploys the Rf1 to e1 . White should also consider a2-a4 to secure the BbS or, in some lines, s u pport N c3 - b5 . P lay i ng a4 is particularly useful after 8 . . . BxdS and 9 . . . Bc6.

Black's plan

I n this l ine, black must capture the d5-pawn because he gets insufficient compensation for the pawn after either 8 . . . e6 9.e4 or 8 . . . g6 9.0-0 Bg7 1 O.a4 and 1 1 .e4.

After 8 . . . Nxd5 9.0-0, black can choose from three interesting plans.

He can try 9 . . . Nc7, forcing the BbS to retreat to c4. Black then continues with . . . Nc6-e5, attacking the Bc4 again, and strikes at the white center with . . . e6.

The retreat 9 . . . Nf6 unfortunately invites white to advance the e-pawn to eS. The aggressive 1 O . e4 works because 10 . . . Nxe4 1 1 .Bf4! leaves the black king dangerously exposed in the middle the board.

Dangerous is 9 . . . Nxc3 because after 1 O . Nxc3 e6 1 1 . e4 Be? ( 1 1 . . . Bxe4 1 2 . Bxd 7 + ! ) , white can d evelop aggressively with either Qd3 or Bf4 (threatening Bxb8 and Qxd7 mate) .

Op in ions on th is l ine have been changing with the wind over the past decade. In his 1 990 book on the Benko, Fedorowicz recommends 8 . . . Bxd5 with the idea of 9.0-0 Bc6, putting the question to the BbS. If white permits, black will exchange the bishop on bS and then complete development with . . . N c6 , . . . d 5 ( . . . e6 as and when required), . . . Be?, and . . . 0-0.

(See game 28.)

Things to try

You should try both sides of both of the key lines: . . . Nxd5 and . . . Bxd5.

With white against lines with . . . Nf6, try pushing the e-pawn as quickly as possible. If black captures the pawn on e4, are you able to generate good counterplay?

Under what circumstances should white defend the Bb5 with a4? Do you feel more comfortable retreating the BbS (after . . . Bc6, for example) to c4?

(27) Flear,G - Wolff,P [A57) Hastings, 1 989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5 + 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Nge2 [The critical position.] 8 ... Bxd5 9.0-0 Bc6 1 o.a4 e6 1 1 .Ng3 d5 1 2.e4 d4 1 3.e5 Nfd7 1 4.Bxc6 Nxc6 1 5.Nb5 Be7 1 6.Qg4 g6 1 7.Qe4 Qb6 18.Bh6 Rg8 1 9 . b 4 cxb4 20 . Nxd4 Qxd 4 21.Qxc6 Qd5 22.Qxd5 exd5 23.Rfd 1 Ra5 24.Rac1 Nxe5 25. Rc8 + BdB 26.Rb8 Nc6 27.Rb7 Bf6 28.Re1 + KdB 29.Rxf7 Be7 30.Ne2 Rxa4 31 .Nf4 b3 32.Kf1 b2 33.Nd3 Ne5 34.Rxe7 Nxd3 35.Rb7 Nxe1 36.Rxb2 ReB 0-1

(28) Klarenbeek - Bosboom [A57) NLD-ch, 1 992

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5 + 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Nge2 [The critical position. With 8.Nge2, white is willing to return the extra pawn but retains a lead in development.] 8 . . . Nxd5 9.0-0 Nxc3 [9 ... Nf6 1 O.Qd3!? g6 (1 O ... e6 1 1 .e4!) 1 1 .e4 Bg7co (Shirov) ) 10.Nxc3 e6 [With the idea of . . . Be?, . . . 0-0, and . . . dS. Also possible is 1 O . . . g6 1 1 . Qb3 ! ? Bc6 1 2.Bd2 Bg7 1 3.Nd5i.] 1 1 .e4 [1 1 .a4 Nc6 1 2.e4 Be? 1 3.Bf4 Qd8 1 4.Qd3 0-0 1 5.Rad1 Nd4 1 6.Be5 Bf6 1 7.Bd6 Be?

Benko Gambit! 33

1 8.Qg3 f5 = (Shirov-Adams, Dortmund 1 992-CBM 29)] 1 1 . . . N c 6 [1 1 . . . Be7 1 2.Bf4 Nc6 1 3.Qd3 Nd4 1 4.Be5 Bf6!?m (Shirov) ; 1 1 . . . Bxe4?! 1 2.Bxd7 + Nxd7 1 3.Nxe4±] 12.Be3N Be7 13.f41 [With the idea of f5, e5, and a kingside attack with Nc3-e4.] 1 3 ... Rd8 [Unthematic. A better try was .. . QdB with the idea of . . . 0-0 and . . . d5.] 14.f5 Qc7 [ 14 . . . 0-0 1 5.f6!] 1 5.Bf4 [1 5.Qg4 Qe5] 1 5 ••• Qb6 [ 1 5 . . . d6? 1 6.fxe6 fxe6 1 7.Qg4 + ­(Shirov)] 1 6.a4 [ 16.Bd6 Nd4!? 1 7.Bxe7 Kxe7m] 1 6 ... 0-0 1 7.Bd6 [Threatening to win a piece with Bxc6 and Bxe7.] 17 ... c4 + 1 8.Kh1 Bxd6 1 9.Qxd6 exf5 20.exf5 Qd4 2 1 .Rad 1 1 [21 .Qxd4?! Nxd4 2 2 . Bxc4 N c2i (6.Ne3)] 21 ... Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Ne5 23.a5 Baa 24.h3 h5 25.f6?1 [25.Rfd1 !] 25 ... Rfe8 26.fxg7 Re6!+2 27.Rd4 Rg6 28.Nd5 [28.Rf2!?6.Nd5!] 28 . • . Kxg7 29. N f4 Rg5 = 30.Bxc4 Nxc4 31 .Rxc4 Rxa5 32.b4 Rf5 33.Rc5 [33 .Rd1 Bc6 = ] 33 . . . Rxc5 34.bxc5 Rh8 [34 . . . h4 = ] 35.Rd1 Bc6 36.Kh2 h4 37.g3 hxg3 + 38.Kxg3 Kf6 39.Rd6 + Kf5 [39 . . . Ke5 40 . Nd3 + Ke4 4 1 . N b4 = ] 4 0 . N e2 Rg8 + 41.Kf2 Ke5 [41 . . . Ke5 42.Nd4 Rg6 43.Nxc6 + dxc6 44.Rd7 = (Stohl)] �-�

Position 1 5: A57 5.e3 g6

The opening moves:

In this solid line, black completes his development of the kingside before breaking in the center with . . . e6 or completing the development of the queenside with . . . axb5 and ... Bb7 or ... Ba6. By contrast, white has played 7.a4 to create a secure queenside structure.

Note that white has avoided 7.bxa6. This pawn capture assists black in developing the BcB and brings about a position in which white will have wasted considerable time with e2-e3 and e3-e4 as opposed to e2-e4 in a single move.

We will examine the most common eighth move for white (B.Nf3) in the next Power Play! position. Here, we shall look at several eighth move alternatives for white: 8.Bd2, B.Ra3, 8.Bc4, and 8.e4.

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 s.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg? 7.84 0-o White plays 8.Bd2

The idea behind 8.Bd2!? is to answer 8 . . . axb5 with 9.axb5. Note that the Qd1 then defends the Ra1 against . . . Rxa1 . In t h i s l i n e , w h ite c o m p l etes t h e development o f t h e centra l pawn structure with e3-e4 and defends the d5-pawn (after ... e6) with Bc4.

Benko Gambit!

Black usually attempts to break in the conter with . . . e6, especially because the white e-pawn has not yet reached e4 to defend the d5-pawn. Unable to develop naturally to a6, the Bc8 will develop via b7. In this l ine, black does have an opportunity to develop aggressively a n d o p e n t h e e -f i l e aga inst the uncastled white king. Black has relative equality after 8. Bd2 Bb7 9. Bc4 e6 1 O.e4 exd5 1 1 . exd5 axb5 1 2 .axb5 Rxa1 1 3.Qxa1 Rea + .

White plays 8. Ra3

Thematic is 8 . Ra3 . The structure involving Ra3 with pawns on a4, b5, and b2 for white is particularly hard for black to crack. On . . . axb5, white gains the possibility of axb5 because the white b - pawn d ef e n d s t h e R a 3 . More importantly, however, white can aim to capture on b5 with the Nc3 and to fu rther secure the structure with Ng1 -e2-c3.

In this line, white will again complete central development with e3-e4. Note that this recapture is similar to that in the 8.Bd2 1ine except that white has not yet committed the Bc1 . To defend the d5-pawn (after . . . e6) , wh ite often develops the Ng1 to f4 via e2 or even h3 (especially if black does not play . . . axb5). Once the knight is on f4, white c a n respo nd to . . . g5 w i th N h5 th reaten ing the Bg7 and i nvit ing . . . Nxh5/Qxh5 with h4 soon to follow.

After 8.Ra3, black is well advised to d eve lop . . . B c8-b7 (becau s e the a6-square is u navai lab le) and to challenge the white center with .. . e6. If white develops the Ng1 to f4, black should probably challenge the center further with 8.Ra3 Bb7 9.Nh3 e6 1 0.Nf4

exd5 1 1 .Nfxd5 axb5 1 2.Bxb5 Nxd5 1 3.Nxd5 Qg5 [Karolyi) .

(See game 29.}

White plays 8.Bc4

With 8 . Bc4 , wh ite i m m ed iate ly over-protects the d5-pawn. White aims to respond to 8 . . . axb5 with 9.Nxb5 and to 8 . . . e6 with either 9.Bd2 (transposing to the first line discussed above) or 9.Nge2 with the idea of 0-0 and Nf4. The main drawback is that after developing t h e Bf 1 ear ly , w h ite w i l l be understandably reluctant to respond to . . . axb5 by investing another tempo in Bxb5.

Black can develop slowly with 8 . . . d6, but is better advised, given the white pawns on a4 and b5, to strike at the white center with . . . e6. The main question is whether, after 8.Bc4, to play . . . e6 immediately or to play . . . axb5 first The immediate . . . axb5 forces white to recapture with either the Nc3 or the Bc4. I n e i ther event, black fol lows up immediately with . . . e6 and . . . exd5.

(See game 30.}

White plays 8.e4

Finally, white can try 8.e4 to secure the center and to prepare 0-0 with Nf3. Note that after . . . axb5, white has to recapture with Bxb5, inviting black to push forward with . . . Ba6.

After 8 .e4, black can play 8 . . . d6 to prevent 9.e5. More interesting is B . . . e6, inviting 9.e5? ! Nxd5 1 O. Nxd5 exd5 1 1 .Qxd5 Ra7 with good chances for a counterattack. Leading to the favorable variation for black discussed in Position 1 6 is B . . . e6 9.Nf3.

Benko Gambit! 35

Things to try

You should acquaint yourself with all fou r whi te t r ies here. Deserv ing consideration are B.Bd2 and especially B . R a 3 b ecau s e whi te ga ins t h e possibility of playing axb5.

Generally, how quickly should white play e4?

With black, are you able to generate effective counterplay in the center with . . . Bb7 and .. . e6?

Do you see why white should refrain from playing dxe6?

With white, try playing Bc4, Nge2, and 0-0. Is the computer able to mount any play against the white center? Does the computer permit you to establish the ideal queenside structure with knights on b5 and c3 (Ng1 -e2-c3 after Nxb5)?

With black, try timing . . . axb5 against the various white set-ups. Are you able to get good activity for the NbS?

(29) Fle8r,G - M8inka,R [A57) Dortmund-B, 19B9

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.e3 g& 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.84 0-0 [The crit ical position . ] B . R 8 3 [White attempts to create a secure queenside formation, often in conjunction with e4.) B ... Bb7 [By now a common theme, with . . . e6 coming next.) 9.Nh3 [As we have seen, played often with the idea of Nf4 and h4-h5.) 9 ... e6 1 0.Nf4 ReB [Taking advantage of the fact that white h a s not yet 0 -0 . ) 1 1 . Bc4 a x b 5 [Requiring one of the d5-defenders to recapture on b5.) 1 2.Nxb5 exd5 1 3.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Bxd5 Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Nc6 16.Nd6 [ 16.Qxc5 BfB] 1 6 ... Re6 1 7.0-0 [ 1 7.Qxc5 BfB] 17 ... Nb4 1B.Qd2 [ 1 8.Qxc5 BfB 1 9.Qxb4 Bxd6] 1 8 ... Qe7 1 9 . N b5 d 5 [Surviving wh ite's

threatened grip in the center and now securing key central space.) 20.b3 RdB 21 .Qd1 [Black's compensation is clear in the passivity of the Ra3, Qd1 , and Rf1 .] 21 ... d4 22.exd4 cxd4 23.Bd2 N d 5 24. R a 2 N c3 25.Bxc3 dxc3 26.Qc1 Qb4 27.083 Qf4 2B.g3 Qf3 29.Qc1 h5 30.h4 Qd3 [White has very few safe moves left.] 31 .Kg2 [31 .Rc2!? (With chances to hold on).] 31 ... Qd5 + 32.Kg1 Qxb3 33.Rc2 Rd3 34.Qb1 Ox84 35.Ra2 Qe4 [Showing off the power of the gambit . B lack has recovered the gambit pawn and now wins a pawn, all without giving up the initiative.] 3 6. N c7 B d 4 37 .Kh2 [37. Nxe6 Rxg3 + 38. Kh2 Qxh4#] 37 .. . Re7 38.Qb8 + Kh7 39.Nb5 Be5 40.Qf8 Qxh4 + 41 .Kg1 Bxg3 0-1

(30) Spasov,V - Hebden [A57) Silkeborg, 1983

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.e3 g& 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.84 0-0 [The critical position. ) 8.Bc4 e6 9.Nge2 8xb5 1 0.Bxb5 exd5 1 1 . Nxd5 Bb7 12.Bc4 Ng4 1 3.Nef4 Ne5 14.Be2 N86 1 5.0-0 ReB 1 6.e4 Nc6 1 7.13 RbB 1 8.Rb1 N8b4 1 9.Be3 d6 20.Nxb4 Nxb4 2 1 . Bb5 Be& 22.Bxc6 Nxc6 23.Qd2 Rb3 24.Nd5 QbB 25.Bg5 ReS 26.Nf4 Bd4 + 27.Kh1 Be3 28.Qd5 Nd4 29.Bh6 ReS 30.Qc4 d5 31 .Nxd5 Bxh6 32.Nf6 + Kg7 33.Nd7 Qd6 34.Nxe5 Qxe5 35.Qd5 Qxd5 36.exd5 Bd2 37.Rfd1 Bb4 38.Rdc1 Re3 39.85 Nb3 40.Rd1 Bx85 41.d6 Bd2 42.Rf1 Rd3 43.Rbd 1 Rxd6 44.Rf2 ReS 45.g3 Be3 46.Rc2 Bd4 47.Kg2 Rb6 0-1

Position 1 6: A57 s.e3 g6

The opening moves:

Benko Gambit!

1 .d4 Nf8 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a& 5.e3 g8 8.Nc3 Bg7 7.a4 0-0 8.Nf3

This position can also arise after 4.Nf3 g6 5.cxb5 a6 6.e3 Bg7 7.Nc3 0-0 a.a4.

In Position 1 5, we saw that white, in positions similar to this one, often tries to e rect a struct u re w i th Ra3 , safeguarding the white queen rook and preparing Nxb5 or Bxb5.

Black will aim for . . . axb5 at the right moment (often after white has invested some time in moving the Bf1 ) and proceed wi th a bu i l d -up on the queenside (with . . . 0-0 and transfer of the Rf8 to the a- or b-file). In this critical position, black has to choose from three interesting plans: to proceed gradually with . . . d6 and . . . Nbd7, or to strike immediately at the white center with either . . . Bb7 or . . . e6.

Black plays 8 . . . d6

In this variation, black proceeds along the thematic Benko Gambit path with . . . Nbd7 and, assuming that white does not capture on a6, with . . . axb5. If white recaptures on b5 with the Bf1 , black

plays . . . Ba6 and .. . Bxb5. When white plays Nc3xb5, black usually redeploys the . . . Nf6-e8-c7 to challenge the white NbS. While this strategy does exchange off two of white's most aggressively posted pieces, It also costs black considerable time.

White takes advantage of this time to play Ra3, e4, Qe2, and 0-0, bringing about effective development without creating any obvious weaknesses for black to exploit.

(See game 31.)

Black plays 8 . . . 8b7

Black therefore usually tries a more aggressive strategy. With a . . . Bb7 and 9 . . . e6, black pressures the white center.

White must be careful to avoid 9.e4 e6! when his failure to develop the Bf1 permits black to gain a rather dynamic equality with . . . exd5 and .. . Rea +

In this line, white most often plays Ra3 with the familiar idea of supporting captures on b5. But after 9.Ra3 e6, black has the potent threat of ... exd5, and we have seen that black can advantageously gain the e-file with check after e4 by white. White therefore often plays dxe6 with the idea of stalling black's central counterplay ( . . . fxe6 and . . . d5) by playing Qd6!?.

To generate counterplay from this position, black must first dislodge the Qd6 with either . . . Nea or . . . Ne4. Black usually plays . . . axb5 first to create a space for the NbS. Once black has forced the Qd6 to retreat, he continues with . . . d5 and pursues operations in the center and on the kingside .

Note that, in this line, if white does play bxa6, black recaptures with the NbS to avoid the loss of t ime involved in

Benko Gambit! 37

moving the Bb7 again. As you may have gathered, white is often well advised to avoid the exchange at a6 because it only eases the development of the NbS.

(See game 32.)

Black plays 8 . . . e6

It will not surprise you that this move often transposes to the line discussed above. White must still avoid 9.e4 because, after 9 . . . Bb7, the l ine has transposed to the note in which black, after the . . . exd5 exchange, exploits the open e-file with ... ReB + .

After B . . . e6 9.dxe6 fxe6 1 0.Qd6 Bb7, white can transpose to the above line with 1 1 . Ra3 or try one of two other alternatives: 1 1 .Be2 and 1 1 .Qxc5.

Things to try

With black, try both the solid . . . d6 set-up and the more aggressive counterattack with . . . e6 and . . . Bb7. With which do you feel more comfortable?

Those of you who enjoy the more tactically-oriented lines in the Benko Gambit might want to spend some time on the lines after 8 . . . Bb7 9.Ra3 e6.

With black in the lines with . . . Bb7 and . . . e6, are you able to generate effective play against the white center? Does the computer capture with dxe6? Are you able to play . . . d5 with command over the center?

With white against . . . d6, are you able to erect an effective bind with Ra3? Are you able to prevent the computer from m a k i n g head way aga inst your position?

I n the . . . e6 and . . . Bb7 l ines, try to prohibit the computer from breaking

out in the center with . . . d5. Are you able to play Qd6? Is the computer able to drive your king from d6 and play . . . d5?

(31 ) Browne,W - Alburt,L [A57) USA-ch, 1 983

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 [The critical position.) 7 ... 0-0 8.84 d6 9.Ra3 Nbd7 1 O.e4 8xb5 1 1 .Bxb5 Ba6 12.Qe2 Bxb5 1 3.Nxb5 Nee 14.0-0 Nc7 1 5.b3 Nxb5 16.Qxb5 R87 17.Bd2 088 1 8.Re1 Rb7 19.Qc4 Nb6 20.Qc2 R87 21 .85 Nd7 22.Bc3 Qb7 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Nd2 f6 25.f4 NbS 26.Nc4 Na6 27.Qc3 Nc7 28.Ra81 NbS 29.Qd3 Nd4 30.Rab1 Qb4 3 1 . e 5 d xes 32. fxe5 R d 7 33.exf6 + Rxf6 34.Qe4 Rf5 35.d6 e6 36.Rf1 Qc3 37.Rfc1 Qb4 38.Rf1 Qc3 39.Rxf5 gxf5 40.Qe5 + Kf7 41 .Qxc5 Ne2 + 42.Kf1 Ng3 + 43.hxg3 Qd3 + 44.Kf2 Qc2 + 45.Ke3 Qe4 + 46.Kd2 Qxg2 + 47.Kc3 Rb7 48.Qe3 Qa2 49.Rb2 Qa1 50.Qd2 Ke8 51 .Qe3 Kd7 52.b4 1-0

(32) Thorsteins,K - Adrian,C [A57) Belfort op (01), 1989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 [The critical position.] 7 ... 0-0 8.a4 [With the familar idea of Ra3, securing the queenside.) 8 ... Bb7 [Countering with the idea of . . . B b 7 a n d . . . e6 , att e m pt i ng to undermine the white center.) 9.Ra3 e6 10.dxe6 [The capture permits black to act ivate t h e RfB and t o seek counterplay with . . . d5 . ) 1 o . . . fxe6 1 1 .Qd6 [White therefore prevents the . . . d5-push by occupying the d6-square. Can black drive the white queen from d6?] 1 1 . . . Qc8 [ B lack beg ins by defending the c-pawn.] 1 2.Be2 Nee [Driving off the queen, and activating both the Rf8 and the Bg7.) 1 3.Qg3 d5 [Black has succeeded in playing the

38 Benko Gambit!

. . . d5 push, establishing a broad pawn center.] 1 4.Ng51? [Seeking to promote weaknesses on the black kingside.] 14 ... h6 15.Nf3 d4 16.Na2 Be4 17.exd4 cxd4 1 8.0-0 Nd7 [For the pawn, black had achieved excellent piece activity, but the kingside weaknesses prove very difficult to defend.] 19.Qh4 Qc2 [ N ot . . . Kh7/Ng5 + w i n n i n g the e6-pawn.] 20.Bd 1 Qb1 [Black counts on 2 1 . Bxh6 Qxb2 , but black has overlooked something.] 21 .Nd2 [The queen is trapped! ] 1-0

Position 1 7: A57 5.e3 Bb7

options, including a timely bxa6 forcing black to take with the Nb8.

White's plan

After 5 . . . Bb7, white must defend the pawn on d5 with Nc3. Black can then strengthen the attack on the d5-pawn by pinning the Nc3 with 6 . . . Qa5.

Walter Browne discovered that white gets a strong game by playing 7.bxa6. Black is then be reluctant to invest yet another move in the Bb7 and therefore captures the pawn with . . . Nxa6. White can then take the opportunity to break the pin on the Nc3 with Bd2.

The opening moves: Final ly, white should complete his

1 .d4 NfS 2.c4 cs l.dS bS 4.cxbS 86 development with e4 and Nf3.

5.e3 Bb7 (See game 33.)

Black's plan

Black' s ambitious idea is to apply pressure to the white d5-pawn, which, at least for the moment, is not defended by the white e-pawn. The Nf6 and Bb7 combine to force white to defend the d5-pawn with 6.Nc3. Black should then play . . . Qa5, p inning the Nc3 and renewing the threat. After . . . Qa5, black can try a more aggressive plan with . . . axb5. The capture helps to activate the Raa and create room for the development of the Nb8 on a6. Here too , b lack w i l l often c reate

Black's . . . Bb7 has, within the past fifteen counterchances in the center with . . . e6. years, become an increasingly frequent (See game 34.) try in the Benko Gambit. The bishop, often in conjunction with . . . e6, exerts useful pressure on the white center. Things to try

H e re , howeve r , the b i shop has deve loped to b7 somewhat With white, defend the d5-pawn with

prematurely, giving white a few extra Nc3 and, against . . . Qa5, play bxa6 and

Benko Gambit! 39

Bd2. Are you able to hold the extra pawn against the computer?

With black, combine the plan outlined just above with . . . Qa5-b6 and . . . e6, placing yet more pressure upon the white d5-pawn.

(33) Lof - Belenko [A57) corres Eu Mkl, 1988

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 Bb7 [The critical position.] 6.Nc3 Qa5 7.bxa6 Nxa6 8.Bd2 Qb6 9.e4 e6 10.Nf3 exdS 1 1 .exd5 Be7 12.Be2 0-0 1 3.0-0 Nxd5 1 4.Nxd5 Bxd5 1 5.Bc3 Be6 16.Ne5 dS 1 7.Bf3 Rfd8 1 8.Qd2 Nc7 1 9.b3 NbS 20.Bb2 Rab8 21 .Rfe1 Bf8 22.Qf4 f6 23.Ng4 d4 24.h4 Qc7 25.Qd2 Qd7 26.Nh2 c4 27.bxc4 Bxc4 28.a4 Nc7 29.Ba3 Bxa3 30.Rxa3 Na6 31 .Be4 d3 32.Rc1 Od4 33.Rac3 Rb4 34.Bf5 Kf8 35.Nf3 Qd5 36.Bxh7 Rxa4 37.Bg6 Ncs 38.Qe3 Nb3 39.Re1 Raa8 40.Bxd3 1-0

(34) Vera,lsabel - Polgar,So. [A57) Novi Sad ol-W (02), 1 990

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 Bb7 [The critical position.] 6.Nc3 Qa5 7.Bd2 axbs 8.Bxb5 Qb6 9.Qb3 e6 1 0.Bc4 [For 1 O.e4, see the game Nickoloff-Wolff.] 10 . . . Qxb3 [Black is down a pawn, but the exchange of queens does not necessarily diminish the compensation.] 1 1 .Bxb3 Na6 [With the idea of . . . Nb4-c3 or . . . Nb4xd5.) 1 2.Nf3 Nb4 1 3.0-0 [Turning down 1 3.dxe6 fxe6 when black would achieve excellent activity for the Rf8, and the . . . d5 push.] 13 .. . Nbxd5 14.Nxd5 NxdS 15.Rfc1 [White has returned the extra pawn but retains the outside passed a-pawn.] 1 5 . . . N f6 [Preparing . . . d5.) 1 6.Ne5 d5 17.Bd 1 Bd6 1 8.Nf3 Ne4i 1 9.Be1 Kd7 [The king becomes an aggressive part of the black attack. Black will complete her development

with . . . Rhb8.] 20.Be2 Ba6 21 .Bf1 Rhb8 22.b3 e5 23.Nd2 fS 24.g3 Bxf1 25.Kxf1 R a 3 [Taking aim at the a-pawn. ) 26.Nxe4 fxe4 27.Ke2 Rba8 28.Rcb1 28.Rc2 Rxb3 28 ... Rxa2 + 29.Rxa2 Rxa2 + 30.Kd1 d4- + 31 .h4 Ke6 32.g4 Be7 33.g5 h6 34.b4 c4 35.b5 c3 36 .Kc1 B a 3 + [36 ... Ba3 + 37.Kd1 c2 + ) 0-1

Position 1 8: A57 s.e3 e6

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 e6

As we have seen , the p r i n c i pa l drawback of the 5.e3 system for white is that it takes two moves rather than one for the e-pawn to reach the key e4-square. I n th is system, black att e m pt s t o explo i t t h e s low development of the e-pawn by striking immediately at the center.

Note that the white pawn on d5 is already under considerable pressure, and, unlike in the Blumenfeld Counter Gambit (which can be reached via the Benko Gambit after 1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5

40 Benko Gambit!

3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 e6) , white can't defend with Bg5 because the pawn on e3 temporarily restricts the movement of the Bc1 .

White's plan

For the moment, white must decide between defending the d5-pawn or playing dxe6 as in the Blumenfeld Counter Gambit. The obvious problem with the immediate capture is that after 5 . . . e6 6.dxe6 fxe6, black can establish a broad pawn center with . . . d5.

White should therefore fight for control of the center with 6. Nc3 and, after 6 . . . exd5, avoid the rush to recapture. Note that after 6 . . . exd5, the black center pawns are weak and undefended , inviting white to develop rapidly.

Note the following two games. In the first, white recaptures immediately and b l a c k e me rg e s with enough compensation for the pawn.

(See game 35.)

I n the next game, by delaying the recapture, white is able to develop rapidly and win the full point!

(See game 36.)

Black's plan

The 5 . . . e6 system is probably worth avoiding unless you can somehow guarantee that white will play 6.dxe6. Black can then recapture with the f-pawn, aiming to develop rapidly and . . . 0-0 when the Rf8 will be strongly posted.

Against 6. Nc3 , in add it ion to the obvious pawn capture exam ined above, black can try 6 . . . Qa5 (renewing the threat of Nxd5), though after 7.dxe6

fxe6 8.Bd2, white can play a4 with the threat of as.

Things to try

To improve your play, you should also try l i nes ( in pract ice against the computer, at least) that are considered less critical. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the reasons some lines work and others don't.

With white, experiment with both 6.dxe6 and 6.Nc3. Pay special attention to the position after 6.Nc3 exd5. Do you feel comfortable delaying the recapture of the pawn with 7.Nge2?

With b lack , t ry your best to counterattack after 6.dxe6 fxe6. Are you able to get sufficient counterplay with . . .d5, . . . Be7, and . . . 0-0?

(35) Dautov - Blees [A57) Kecskemet , 1 989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.e3 e6 [The critical position.] 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.Nc3 dS 8.Nf3 Be7 9.b3 0-0 10.Bb2 axb5 1 1 .Bxb5 Qa5 1 2.Bd3 d4 13.exd4 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Ba3 15.Qd2 Qe5 + 16.Nde2 Bxb2 1 7.Qxb2 Ng4 1 8.Qc2 Bb7 19.Bxh7 + Kh8 20.Be4 Nc6 21 .f4 Qc5 22.Nd1 Qb4 + 23.Ndc3 Rad8 24.0-0 Qc5 + 25. Kh1 Nf2 + 26.Rxf2 Qxf2 27.Qc1 Nd4 28.Bxb7 Nxe2 29.Nxe2 Qxe2 30.Bf3 Qf2 3 1 .a4 e5 32.Qe 1 Qxe 1 + 33. Rxe 1 Rxf4 34.Kg 1 Rd3 35.Rxe5 g5 36.Rb5 g4 37.Rh5 + Kg7 38.Rg5 + Kf6 39.Rxg4 Rxg4 40.Bxg4 Rxb3 4 1 . Be2 Ra3 42.Bb5 Ra2 43.g3 Kf5 44.h3 Ke4 45.Bc6 + Ke3 46.h4 Rc2 47.Bb7 �-�

(36) Lukacs,P - Plachetka,L [A57) Beograd, 1984

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.e3 es [The critical position.] 6.Nc3

Benko Gambit! 41

[See Game 35 for an example of 6.dxe6.] 6 . . . exd5 7.Nge2 [Returning the pawn with the idea of attacking the black dS-weakness with . . . Nf4.] 7 ... Bb7 8.Nf4 axb5 9.Bxb5 Bd6 1 0.Nfxd5 Nxd5 1 1 .Nxd5 Qa5 + 12.Nc3 [White regains the pawn, but black retains compensation in the form of active bishops and the usual open files on the queenside.] 1 2 • . • Be5 1 3.a4 [Securing the B bS , with the idea of Ra3 . ] 1 3 . . . Bxg2 [ R eg a i n i n g t h e pawn immediately and preventing white from 0-0.) 1 4. R g 1 B c 6 1 5 . B d 2 B x b 5 16.Nxb5 Qb6 17.Qh5 [Attacking the defender of g7.) 17 ... Nc6 ( 1 7 ... Bxb2 1 8.Rb1 Rxa4 1 9.Nc3! ) 18.f4 [6Nd6 + ] 1 8 . . . g 6 1 9 . Qg 5 h 6 20 .Qg 2 Bf6 [20 . . . Bxb2 2 1 . R b 1 + -] 2 1 . Qd 5 [6Nd6 + a n d Qxf7. ] 2 1 . . . B h 4 + 22.Ke2 Be7 [Defending d6.) 23.Bc3 [Seizing control over the kingside dark squares.] 23 . . . Rf8 24. R g d 1 [Threaten ing Qxd7#. ) 24 . . . 0-0-0 25.Qc4 [6a5) 25 .. . Kb7 26.Rd5 NbS 27.Rad1 Qe6 28.Qb3 Qa6 29.Ba5 [29.Ba5 ReB 30.Rxd7 + ! ] 1-0

Position 1 9: A57 5.f3 g6

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 g6

This is the first of three posit ions involving 5.f3 by white. White intends to support the system with e4 and, by so doing, open the f 1 -a6 d iagonal to exercise additional control over the bS-square. B lack has three main responses: . . . g6, . . . e6, and . . . axbS.

In this critical position, black plays . . . g6 with the idea of developing normally

with . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, . . . d6, and other natural Benko Gambit moves.

White's plan

White's immediate plan after 5.f3 is to play e4 to secure a very firm grip on the center and to use the Bf1 to exercise firm control over the key f1 -a6 diagonal and especial ly over b5.

After 5 . . . g6 6.e4 d6, white can try a number of interesting ideas. First, he can try to command the c1 -g5 diagonal by playing Nc3, Bg5, and Qd2. Second, white can combine this plan with a strong transfer of the Ng1 to c3. White usually begins this plan with Na3 (to defend b5) followed by Ne2-c3, and Be3 (or g5) and Qd2. Finally, white can try a slightly different idea, beginning with 7.a4. The pawn push on the queenside helps to secure the key bS-square and sometimes prepares Na3 and Nge2-c3.

(See game 37.)

Black's plan

Before seeking additional activity in the center or on the queenside, black should first complete his development with . . . d6, . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, and . . . Nbd7.

So long as white has not played a4, black should consider . . . axbS with the idea of challenging a white NbS with . . . Nf6-e8-c7. The other knight often seeks activity on the key e5-square.

(See game 38.)

After . . . axb5, black can develop the Sea freely to a6.

Against white formations that involve a2-a4, black seeks central counterplay with . . . e7-e6 with pressure on the white central pawns.

Things to try

On the white side after 5.f3 g6 6.e4 d6, you should try each of the three white plans discussed above. With which do you feel most comfortable? What are t h e m a i n advantages and disadvantages of the a4 pawn push?

With black, try experimenting with a variety of ideas. Begin by completing your development with . . . d6, . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, and . . . Nbd7. If white plays Bg5, should you play . . . h6 and then . . . Kh7? Against a4 by white, try to break open the center with . . . e6. Are you able to mount effective pressure and gain good counterplay?

(37) S ing leton , M - Elliston,R [A57) corres ch-GB, 1990

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 86 S.f3 g6 [The critical position.] 6.e4 d6 7.a4 Bg7 8.Nc3 0-0 9.Bd2 e6 1 0.Bc4 8Xb5 1 1 .axb5 Rxa 1 12.Qxa 1 exdS 1 3.exd5 Nbd7 1 4.Nge2 Nb6 1 5.082

Bb7 1 6.0-0 Qa8 17.Bf4 Rd8 1 8.Rd1 Qx82 1 9.Bxa2 Nea 20.g4 Rae 21 .Bb3 RaS 22.Kg2 Kf8 23.Bg5 Bf6 24.Bd2 Ke7 25.Re1 Kd7 26.h4 Bg7 27.h5 Nf6 28.hxg6 hxg6 29.g5 Nhs 30.Rh1 Rae 31 .Rh4 ReB 32.Re4 ReS 33.Kf2 RfS 34.f4 f6 35.Na4 NcB 36.b6 fxgS 37 .Re6 Nxf4 38.Nxc5 + dxcs 39.Ba4 + 1-0

(38) Skalik - Sznapik [A57) Cetniewo, 1991

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 a6 S.f3 g6 [The critical position.] 6.e4 d6 7 . N a 3 [7.a4!?] 7 . . . B g 7 [Logically completing his development.] 8.Ne2 0-0 9.Nc3 Nbd7 10.Be2 NeB [With the idea of applying additional pressure to a6 and b5.] 1 1 .0-0 Nc7 12.Bg5 Rb8 13.Rb1 [Permitting the movement of the Nc3 by defending b2.) 1 3 .. . Nb6 [LL . Bd7.) 1 4.Qd2 axbs 1 5.N8xb5 NxbS 1 6.Bxb5 Bd7 1 7 . a 4 BxbS 1 8.8xb5 [ 1 8. Nxb5 Nc4! ) 18 . . . Qd7 [Preparing for . . . Rb7 and . . . Rfb8 to apply pressure to b5.) 1 9.Qe2 NaB [.6. ... Nc7.) 20.Ra1 Rb7 21 .Ra6 Nc7 22.Rc6 [This may seem strong, but the Rc6 is out of play.) 22 ... Rfb8 23.Ra1 h6 24 .Bd2 NxbS [Winn ing back the gambit pawn and again retaining substantial play. ] 25 . Nx b 5 R x b S 26. Bc3 B x c 3 27. bxc3 R b 1 + [Exchanging off white's more active rook.] 28.Rxb 1 Rxb1 + 29.Kf2 Qb7 [With complete control over the b-file, and the obvious . . . Rb2 threat.] 30.Kg3 Rb2 31 .Qe3 Kg7 32.e5 QbS 33.c4 (33.exd6 Of1 !- + ] 33 ... Qxc4 34.exd6 exd6 35.Rc7 Re2 [Black has numerous threats, including . . . g5 and . . . Qh4#. ) 0-1

Position 20: A57 S.f3 e6

The opening moves:

Benko Gambit! 43

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cS 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.f3 e6

A counterblow in the center similar to the Blumenfeld Counter Gambit. Black invites white to play dxe6 when, after . . . fxe6, black stands ready to counter in the center with . . . d5 and to bring the RhB aggressively into the action with . . . 0-0.

White does best to avoid capturing the pawn at e6 and to secure the center with e4. Unl ike many of the other Benko G a mbit l i n e s we have al ready discussed, this variation tends to be tactically complex. Be sure to play many games against the computer before you try it over the board!

White's plan

White does best to proceed with 6.e4 because 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.e4 axb5 8.Bxb5 Ba6 9.Nc3 Bxb5 1 0.Nxb5 Qb6 1 1 .a4 c4 is strong for black.

After 6 .e4 exd5, white can choose between the so l id 7 . e5 and the interesting 7.exd5. The 7.e5 push forces the Nf6 to retreat after 7 . . . Qe7 8.0e2 N g 8 when w h ite comp letes t h e

development of the knights with Nc3 and Nh3-f4.

(See game 39.)

If instead 7.exd5, white can respond to 7 . . . Qe7 + with 8.Kf2 and good chances in a complex position .

Black's plan

When playing 5 . . . e6, black hopes that white will exchange the central pawns and permit him to take control of the center with . . . d5. More likely, white will respond with 6.e4.

In that event, black can continue with 6 . . . exd5 as above or t ry some interest i ng t h o u g h l ess tested alternatives. The first alternative is 6 . . . Bb7, aiming to place additional pressure on the white center before playing . . . exd5.

Perhaps the most complex choice is 6 ... axb5. After 7. Bxb5 Ba6 8. Bxa6 Nxa6, black will try to play . . . c4 and . . . Nb4-d3, often in conjunction with . . . Bc4.

(See game 40.)

Things to try

These l i nes a re enormously complicated and rather far removed from the usual Benko Gambit themes. If you are interested in testing your tactical ability against the computer, try playing the black side of this position in the line with 6.e4 axb5.

With white, see if you feel comfortable in the position after 5 . . . e6 6.e4 exd5 7.e5. Are you able to hold the extra pawn? Is bxa6 a good idea?

44 Benko Gambit!

{39) Hudecek,J - Vodicka,V [A57] Karvina open (1 1), 1 989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 e6 [The critical position.] 6.e4 exd5 7.e5 Qe7 8.Qe2 Ng8 9.Nc3 Bb7 10.Nh3 Qd8 1 1 .Nf4 Ne7 12.Nh5 Qb6 1 3.a4 axb5 1 4.Nxb5 Nf5 15.Qf2 Nc6 �-�

(40) Scott - Edwards [A57] corres., 1 990

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 e6 [The critical position.] 6.e4 axb5 [When this game was played, this was a relatively new try.] 7.dxe6?1 [The capture permits black to develop the Rf8 more rapidly and to establish a broad pawn center. Better is 7.Bxb5 Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Nc3 c4 1 0.b3 exdS 1 1 .e5 Bb4 1 2.Nge2 Qas 1 3.Bd2 d4 1 4.exf6 dxc3 1 5.Nxc3 Bxc3 1 6.Qe2 + Kd8 1 7.Qe7 + Kc7- + .] 7 .. . fxe6 8.Bxb5 Ba6 9.Qe2 Bxb5 1 0.Qxb5 Nc6 1 1 .Be3 [Not 1 1 .b3 Nxe4! ; 1 1 .Nc3 Nb4 1 2.Qe2 c4 1 3.Be3 Nd3 + 1 4.Kf1 QaS (.b. . . . BcS or . . . Bb4) .] 1 1 ... Nb4 12.Qe2 [1 2.Qc4 dS 1 3.exd5 exdS 1 4.Qb5 + Nd7 1 5.Qe2 Be7 (With excellent compensation for the pawn) . ] 1 2 . . . c4 1 3.Nh3 [White cannot stop the Nb4 from moving to d3 ( 1 3 . Qxc4? ReS) so white tries to challenge the knight once it gets there.) 1 3 . . . Nd3 + 14.Kf1 Qb8 [A very strong square for the queen, maintaining control over a key file and a key diagonal.] 1 5 . B d 4 ( 1 5 . b3 cxb3 1 6 . Qxd3 b2] 1 5 . . . e5 1 6 . B c3 d 5 [1 6 . . . Bc5? 1 7.Nd2 dS 1 8.exd5 NxdS 1 9.Nxc4 + -] 1 7 .exd5 Nxd5 1 8.Nf2 [Finally chal lenging the Nd3. After 1 8.Qe4 ObS 1 9.Bxe5 Nxes 20.0xe5 + B e 7 b l a c k has exc e l l ent compensation.] 1 8 . . . Bc5 1 9 . N xd3 Nel + [A new knight appears on the sixth rank, and this time, white cannot

get rid of it.] 20.Ke1 cxdl 21 .0xd3 o-01 [Safeguarding the king and developing the R h8. ] 22. N d 2 [22 .b4 e4!] e4 [22 . . . e4: A) 23.Nxe4 Nxg2 + 24.Kf1 Ne3 + 25.Ke2 Qf4 26.Nxc5 Qxf3 + 27.Kd2 Qf2 + 28.Kc1 (28.Qe2 Rad8 + ) . . . Rad8 (28 . . . Rfd8 29.Qe4) ; B) 23.Qd7 Rf7- + ; C) 23.fxe4 Qf4- + ; D) 23.Qxe4 Rea 24. Qc6 Qa7 25 . R c 1 Nxg2 + (LL.Oe7) .] 0-1

Position 21 : A57 5.f3 axb5

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 axb5

In this line, black immediately regains the extra pawn and will, in the lines we investigate here, attempt to retain it. Of course, black could transpose to Position 20 by playing S.f3 axbS 6.e4 e6. That strategy is extremely interesting, all the more so because the effort to hold on to the pawn is fraught with danger.

Benko Gambit! 45

White's plan

Not surprisingly, white immediately plays e4 to secure the center. With 6.e4, white has two immediate threats, Bxb5 and, perhaps more importantly, e5 with complete domination in the center.

We have already seen that black can p lay 6 . e4 e6 with enormous complications. Here, we will examine two black alternatives, 6 . . . d6 (to stop the e5 push) and the more speculative effort to hold the pawn, 6 . . . Qa5 + .

Against 6 . . . Qa5 + , white can continue as in Timoshchenko-Binham, 1986.

(See game 4 1.)

As you can see, white achieves a superior position rather quickly by playing 7.Bd2 followed by Nc3.

Black's plan

The effort to hold the pawn failed rather miserably in the game above. Black should therefore choose between two ideas: transposing to the line examined in Position 20 with 6 . . . e6; or continuing more positionally, though down the gambit pawn, with 6 ... d6 7.Bxb5 + Bd7 8 . Bxd7 + N bxd 7 , f ind i ng some counterplay after . . . g6, . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0 and normal development with . . . Qb6 and . . . RfbB.

(See game 42.)

Things to try

Try playing both white and black in both main lines.

After 6.e4 d6 7.Bxb5 + Bd7 8.Bxd7 Nbxd7, do you feel comfortable with black despite the exchange of the Bee?

In the line with 6 ... Qa5 + 7.Bd2, try both . . . Qb6and . . . b4. Do you see why black's set-up does not permit the usual thematic counterplay?

(41) Timoschenko - Binh8m [A57] Helsinki (03), 1986

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.f3 8xb5 [The critical position.) 6.e4 [One of the main reasons for f3. White can develop with e2-e4 in a single move.] 6 • • • 085 + 7.Bd2 Qb6 [Black's . . . Qa5-b6 maneuver is meant to leave the Bd2 on the wrong square, leaving b2 a target.] 8 . N c 3 b4 [8 . . . Ba6!?] 9.N84 [In addition to threatening the Qb6, white has a powerful threat. Do you see it?] 9 . . . 085 1 0 . N xc5 e6 [ 10 ... Qxc5 1 1 .Rc1 (Winning the Bc8) .] 1 1 .Nb3 Qb6 12.Qc1 N86 1 3.Be3 Qb8 [Black's position is already desperate.] 1 4 . Bf4 B d 6 [ 1 4 . . . Qxf4 1 5 .Qxc8 + ] 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 1 6.Qg5 [Exploiting the absence of black's dark-squared bishop.] 16 ... exd5 17.e5 h6 1 8.Qxf61 [Winning a piece.) 1 -0

(42) Harovelo,l - Aubert,L [A57] FRA-ch B, 1 989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.f3 8Xb5 [The critical position.] 6.e4 d6 7.Bxb5 + Bd7 8.Bc4 g6 9.Nc3 Bg7 10.Nge2 0-0 1 1 .0-0 Qb6 1 2.b3 Na6 13.Be3 Nc7 1 4.84 BcS 1 5.Qd2 Ba6 16.Rfb1 Nd7 17.Bh6 Bxh6 1 8.Qxh6 085 19.Bx86 Rx86 20.Qg5 Nf6 21 .Kf1 Rb8 22.Qc1 R8b6 23.Qc2 Nd7 24.Nd1 e6 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.Rb2 d5 27.Rab1 N 8 6 28. N d c3 N b4 2 9 . Q d 2 Ne5 30.exd5 Ned3 31 .dxe6 Nxb2 32.Rxb2 Rxe6 33. Nf4 AdS 34. N cd 5 ReS 35.Nf6 + Kf7 36.Nd7 Re7 37.Qc3 086+ 38.Kf2 Rexd7 39.Qxc5 Qa7 0-1

46 Benko Gambit!

Position 22: A57 White's plan Zaitsev

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cS 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 a6 s.Nc3

This line was first popularized by Igor Zaitsev. With 5.Nc3, white attempts to take command of the center without rel inquishing the right to 0-0 and without wasting time. After ... b4 by black, the white Nc3 moves to b5 where it will attempt to wreak havoc on the black center in conjunction with moves like Bc4, Bf4, and e4-e5.

In the early years of the Benko Gambit, it was thought that 5.Nc3 transposed back to the main line after 5.Nc3 axb5 6 . Nxb5 Qa5 + 7 .Nc3, but Zaitsev discovered that white has an additional, very complex idea beginning with 5 . . . axb5 6.e4!?, inviting 6 ... b4 7.Nb5. To the uninitiated eye, the knight may seem trapped on b5, but Zaitsev and others have discovered that the system offers useful and aggressive chances for white.

With 5 .Nc3 , white defends d5 and threatens e2-e4 (seizing the center in a single move) fol lowed by bxa6.

Black usually plays 5 . . . axb5 to divert the Nc3 to b5 (note that without 5.e3, the Bf1 can't recapture on b5) .

We will examine lines in which black plays 5 . . . axb5 in the next three critical positions, but black is by no means obligated to play the move. Here, we sha l l cons ider two inte rest i ng alternatives for black: 5 . . . g6 and 5 . . . Qa5.

With 5 . . . g6, black essentially ignores white's threat - so naturally white should follow through right away. After 5 . . . g6 6.e4 (with the obvious threat of e5) 6 . . . d6, white gets a very powerful game with either Nf3 or f4, both with the idea of dominating the center with e5.

(See game 43.)

In this game, white was in no hurry to push e4-e5. He developed calmly, with the plan b3 and Bb2. The buildup in the center forced black to seek counterplay (or risk being overrun in the center) with . . . e6.

Black's plan

You will see in the next three critical positions that black's main idea here is to play 5 . . . axb5.

In addition to 5 . . . g6!?, black has one other very interesting and rather critical alternative: 5 . . . Qa5. The point of5 . . . Qa5 is to threaten . . . axb5 while the Nc3 is pinned and to prevent white from playing e4 because black could then simply capture the e4-pawn.

Benko Gambit! 47

Against 6. bxa6, black should simply play . . . Bxa6 and continue thematically as in the normal lines. Black can now use the Ba6 to capture on f1 should white later play e3 or e4.

Larry Christiansen once tried 6.b6 to distract the queen from its strong aS-square, but black gets a playable game with . . . Bb7, . . . Qxb6, and, after e4, . . . e6 with the idea of giving the Bb7 as much power as possible.

The most critical l ine after 5 . . . Qa5 is the obvious 6.Bd2, again threatening e4. Black will not be able to prevent e4. In fact, it will be difficult to stop e2-e4-e5. Instead, black should play 6.Bd2 axb5 in order to answer 7 .e4 with . . . b4 threatening the Nc3.

(See game 44.)

Things to try

In the fol lowin g sections, you will explore the main lines of the Zaitsev System. Here, spend most of your time playing against 5 ... g6 and especially 5 . . . Qa5.

With white against 5 . . . g6, try to build up effectively in the center. Are you able to play e4-e5 successfully?

With black, spend most of your time playing 5 . . . Qa5. Are you ab le to mainta in material equal ity I n the opening? If you get stuck, play through the last game again to review the resources at black's disposal.

(43) Vogei,R - Heinem8nn,T [A57) Bad Schw8rt8u [3] , 1988

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.Nc3 [The critical position.] 5 . . . d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 axb5 1 0.Bxb5 Ba6 1 1 .Bxa6 Nx86 1 2.Re1 Nd7 1 3.Bf4 Qc7 14.a4 Qb8

1 5.Qd2 Ra7 1 6.Re2 Rb7 17. Rae1 Res 1 8.Nb5 Nc7 1 9.Nxc7 Qxc7 20.e5 dxe5 21 .Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Bxe5 Bxe5 23.Rxe5 Qd6 24.g3 Rb4 25.85 Rd4 26.Qe3 Rxd5 27.Rxe7 Rxe7 28.Qxe7 Qxe7 29.Rxe7 Rd 1 + 30.Kg2 Ra1 31 .Re5 Rxa5 32.b4 Rb5 33.bxc5 Kg7 34.Kf3 Kf6 35.Ke4 Rb2 36.f4 Rxh2 37.Kd5 Rd2 + 38 .Kc6 h5 39. K b7 Rb2 + 40.Kc7 Rb3 41 .Rg5 Kg7 42.Rd5 Rxg3 43.c6 h4 44.Rd 1 Rc3 45.Kd7 Kf6 46.Rh1 h3 47.c7 Rd3 + 48.Ke8 Re3 + 49.Kd7 Rd3 + 50.Ke8 Re3 + 51 .Kd7 Rd3 + �-�

(44) Danner -Ochoa de Echaguen [A57) Luzern, 1982

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.Nc3 [The critical position. ] 5 ... Qa5 6.Bd2 [Black cannot prevent e2-e4 in a single move, so black counters with . . . axb5 and . . . b4.) 6 . . . 8xb5 7.e4 b4 8.e5 [Both attacks are already in full swing.) 8 ... bxc3 9.Bxc3 Qa4 10.Qx84 Rxa4 1 1 .exf6 gxf6 [Already, an endgame. Black has slightly better development as compensation for the obvious pawn weaknesses. ] 1 2.Be2 Rg8 1 3.Bf3 d6 14.b3 Ra8 15.Ne2 Bh6 16.0-0 Bg4 [Trading off white's bad bishop in order to activate the RgB. An alternative is ... Nd7 with the idea ... Ne5.] 1 7.Bxg4 Rxg 4 1 8. f4 [Preventing . . . Re4 and . . . Nd7-e5.) 18 .. .f5 1 9.Ng3 [Forcing the game to take a complex turn. Black must open the center in order to defend f5.) 19 . . . e6 20.Nh5 Kd8 [Preserving d7 for the Nb8.) 21 .Rfe1 Rg6 22.b4 Nd7 23.dxe6 fxe6 24.Re2 Ra3 25.Rc1 Ra4 26.Rb1 Kc7 27.Rc2 Rgs [With the idea of . . . Rae or . . . RbB.] 28.bxc5 Nxcs 29.Be5 Ra5 30.Bd4 Rgas 3 1 .Bxc5 dxcs 32.Re1 R886 [Black emerges with the more active rooks and the more effect ive pawn st ructure . )

48 Benko Gambit!

33.Ree2 Kd6 34.h3 Ra4 35.g3 Rd4 38.Rcd2 Ra3 37.Kg2 BfB 38.Rxd4+ cxd4 39.g4 d3 40.Rb2 Kd5 41 .gxf5 exf5 42.Ng3 Bd6 43.Nxf5 Bxf4 44.Nh4 d2 45.Rb1 Rd3 46.Rd1 Ke4 47.a4 Bg5 (Trapping the N h4. 48.Kg3 Bxh4 followed by . . . Ke3-e2.] 0-1

Position 23: A57 Zaitsev with 8.Bf4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 B.Bf4

Fedorowicz considers B.Bf4 white's most dangerous weapon in the Zaitsev variation. The Idea is simple enough - to play eS and exploit the weakened black center before black can mobilize his forces sufficiently to trap the white NbS.

Black plays 8 . . . Nxe4

Ideally, black would like to trap or oth erwise pun ish the awkward placement of the NbS. Fai l ing that, black must try hard to inhibit white's e4-eS.

The obvious capture B . . . Nxe4 prevents white's eS-push, but it's fraught with danger. White simply pursues rapid development with Nf3, Bc4 and Qe2. Black can win the NbS in this variation with B . . . Nxe4 9.Nf3 Ras 1 0.Bc4 Qb6 1 1 .Qe2 Ba6, but he suffers from an obvious lack of development. White will redeploy the Nf3 to c4 via d2 and take full command of the central files after 0-0.

Black Plays 8 . . . g5

This is perhaps the most critical line for black. When white captures the g-pawn with BxgS, black will play . . . Nxe4, g rabb ing the center pawn A N D attacking the BgS. Note that the attack on the bishop prohibits white from developing quickly in the center as in the 8 . . . Nxe4 line. The advance of the black g-pawn also permits black to develop the BfB to g7 with key pressure in the center.

An interesting game results from B . . . gS 9.BxgS Nxe4 1 0.Bf4.

In this critical position, black must choose between two natu ral developing moves: . . . Qa5, with the idea of attacking the NbS with . . . Ba6 and prohibiting white from castling with . . . b3 + ; and a second plan involving more rapid kingside development with . . . Bg7, . . . Nf6, and . . . 0-0.

In the 1 O . . . Qa5 line, white does best to develop quickly with Bc4, Qe2 (holding the NbS) , and 0-0 (especially when black does not play . . . b3 + ) .

(See game 45.)

In the second line, white often plays Qe2 with the idea of Nxd6, though even if white succeeds In winn ing the

JjeructJ uammu 49

d-pawn, black's superior development offers very competitive chances.

(See game 46.)

Things to try

It should be exciting for you to try both critical moves 8 . . . Nxe4 and a . . . g5 against the computer.

Try playing white and black in the key line 8 . . . Nxe4 9.Nf3 Ra5 1 0.Bc4 Qb6 1 1 . Qe2 Ba6. Do you see that black is badly underdeveloped? With white, see if you can successfully play Nf3-d2-c4 and 0-0. Do you need to play a4 to hold the Nb5?

In the other line, spend time exploring the position after 8 . . . g5 9.Bxg5 Nxe4 1 0.Bf4. With black, try developing with both 1 0 . . . Qa5 (with the ideas . . . Ba6 and .. . b3 + ) and with 1 0 . . . Bg7. In the first line, are you able to trap the white Nb5? In the second line, are you able to ... 0-0?

(45) Tozer,R - Ernst,T [A57] London Lloyds, 1 988

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.Nc3 8xb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 s.Bf4 [The critical position.) s ... gs [With the idea of playing ... Nxe4 with the white bishop on g5.] 9.Bxg5 Nxe4 10.Bf4 085 [Applying pressure directly on the Nb5, with the idea of ... Ba6.) 1 1 .Bc4 [�Qe2, defending the Nb5.) 1 1 ... Ba6 1 2.Qe2 [If black retreats the Ne4, white will play Nxd6 + .) 1 2 ••• Kd81? 1 3.Qxe4 Bxb5 1 4. N f3 Bxc4 1 5.Qxc4 Q86 [ 15 . . . b3 + 1 6.Bd2 Qxa2 1 7.Rxa2 bxa2 1 8.Ke2 a1 Q 1 9.Rxa1 Rxa1 20.Ng5 + -] 1 6.Nd2 Qxc4 1 7.Nxc4 Na6 1 8.Ke2 Nc7 1 9.Rhd 1 Bg7 20.83 bx83 21 .Rxa3 Rb8 22.Bd2 [Defending the b-pawn with the threat of Ra8 + and Ba5, but giving up the d-pawn for dubious compensation.] 22 ... Nxd5 23.Ra7 Ke8

24.Bg5 Bd4 25.Kf3 Rg8 26.Bh4 Rg6 [With the idea of overprotecting the e-pawn with . . . Re6.) 27. R e 1 Re6 28.Rxe6 fxe6 29.Ke4 Rb4 30.b3 Rxb3 31 .N85 R83 32.Nc6 Rx87 33.Nx87 Nc3 + 34.Kd3 Kd7 35.Bg5 e5 36.Bd2 Nd5 37.f3 Nc7 38.Ke4 c4 39.g4 Bxa7 0-1

(46) Vogei,R - Sprotte,N [A57) Berlin Steglitz-ch, 1 987

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5.Nc3 8Xb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 s.Bf4 [The critical position.] 8 .. . g5 9.Bxg5 N x e 4 1 0 . Bf4 B g 7 1 1 . Qe2 N f6 1 2.Nxd6+ Kf8 1 3.Nxc8 Qxc8 1 4.g3 Nxd5 1 5.Be5 Bxes 1 6.Qxe5 Nf6 1 7.Nf3 Rg8 1 8.Bg2 Nbd7 1 9.Qe2 086 20.Nd2 R87 21 .Nc4 Ne8 22.0-0 Nb6 23.b3 Nxc4 24.bxc4 Nc7 25.Qh5 Ne6 26.Bd5 Rg6 27.Qxh7 Ng5 28.Qh8 + Rg8 29.Qe5 Qd6 30.Qxd6 exd6 31 .a3 bx83 32.Rfb1 Ne6 33.Rb3 Nc7 34.Bf3 R84 35.R8x83 Rxc4 36.R87 Rc1 + 37.Kg2 Ne6 38.h4 Kg7 39.Rbb7 Rf8 40.Rd7 Kf6 41 .Rxd6 c4 42.Rc6 Rb8 43.Bd5 c3 44.Rac7 Rbb1 45.Bxe6 fxe6 46.Rxc3 Rg1 + 47.Kh3 Rh1 + 48.Kg4 Rb4 + 49.R3c4 Rb2 50.Rf4 + Kg6 51 .Rff7 1-0

Position 24: A57 Zaitsev with 8.Nf3

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 s.Nf3

Again, white develops with the idea of e5. Unlike in the variation with 8.Bf4, black does not have the option of playing . . . g5 attacking the Bf4. Black usually proceeds in this line with quick kingside development and counters

50 Benko Gambit!

white's plan of es and Nxes with Black's plan pressure from . . . Nfd7 and the Bg7.

White's plan

White intends to advance the e-pawn i m med iate l y t o e5 and , afte r . . . dxe5/Nxe5, to threaten t h e black kingside (especially f7) with Bc4 and d6. Note that the white Nb5 supports d6, permitting white to respond to . . . exd6 with Nxd6. White will often be able to 0-0 quickly and to occupy the e-file with both Oe2 and, if later required, Rfe1 . In some l ines, especially after e5 and Nxe5, white will also play Bf4 to threaten the c7-square (in conjunction with the Nb5) .

White has also set a nice trap. Note that he achieves a very strong position after 8.Nf3 Nxe4? 9.Bc4 with the threat of Qe2, Bf4, and Nxd6 + . Even after 9 . . . g6 1 O.Qe2 Nf6 1 1 .Bf4 Ra6 (to defend d6), white can still play 1 2.Nxd6 + Rxd6 1 3.Bb5 + ! .

(See game 47.)

The less aggressive development of Nf3 (as opposed to 8.Bf4 or 8.Bc4) permits black to complete the development of his kingside with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0. Black should refrain from capturing the e-pawn with 8 . . . Nxe4.

After developing with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0, black will be ready to counter the white Ne5 (following e5/ . . . dxe5/Nxe5) with . . . Nfd7. Black seeks to trade the white Ne5 and, in the event of Bc4 by white, to play . . . Nb6 to force the retreat of the bishop.

(See game 48.)

Things to try

With white, make sure that you feel comfortab le with your attack ing chances after 8 . . . Nxe4? 9 . Bc4 g6 1 0.Qe2 Nf6 1 1 .Bf4 Qa6 1 2.Nxd6 + Rxd6 1 3.Bb5 + .

Against the more usual defence of . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0, press for an attack, first with e5 and Nxe5, and then with Nxd7 and d6. How much influence does the knight have on d6?

With black, after . . . 0-0, experiment with different development strategies for the Bee. Should it develop to a6, or is it better to play for . . . Be6 later to counter the pressure of the white Bc4?

(47) lvanov,S - Pisulinski,J [A57) Cheliabinsk II, 1 991

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Nf3 [The critical position.) 8 • • • Nxe4 9.Bc4 g6 [9 . . . e5 1 0.dxe6 fxe6 1 1 .Bf4 Na6 1 2.Qa4 Kf7 1 3.0-0-0l! (Ivanov)) 1 0.Qe2 f5 [ 1 0 . . . Nf6? 1 1 .Bf4 (6.Nd6)] 1 1 .0-0 Bg7 12.Re1?1 [The main alternative is

Benko Gambit! 51

1 2.Ng5 Nxg5 1 3.Bxg5 with excellent pressure down the e-file.] 1 2 ... Nd71 [Not 1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3.Ng5!.] 1 3.Ng5 Ne5 1 4. f3 [ 1 4.Nxe4 fxe4 1 5 .Qxe4 Bf5 1 6. Qe2 0-0+ ( Ivanov)] 1 4 . • • Nxg5 1 5.Bxg5 0-0+ 1 6.Nxd61? [16.f4? Nxc4 1 7 .Bxe7 Qa5 1 8.Bxf8 Bxf8 1 9.Qxc4 Ba6 20.a4 bxa3- + (Ivanov)] 1 6 . . . Qxd6 1 7.Bxe7 Qd7 [Not 17 ... Qxe7 1 8.d6 + .] 1 8.Bxf8 Kxf8 1 9.Bb5 Qd8 20.Qe3 Ra5 [Ivanov recommends .. . Nd7 holding the c-pawn and helping to defend ea.] 21 .Qxc5 + Kg8 22.d6 Ba6? [Ivanov recommends 22 . . . Bd7 23.Rxe5 Bxe5 24 . Q d 5 + K g 7 2 5 . Qxe5 + Kh6 . ) 2 3 . R xe 5 Bxes [23 . . . Bxb5 24.Qc7 ( Iva n ov) ; 23 . . . Rxb5 24. Qc4 + ] 24.Qd5 + I Kg7 [Black's best chance is 24 ... Kf8 25.Qxe5 Qb6 26.Kh1 Bxb5.) 25.Qxe5 + Kh6 [25 . . . Kf7 26.Be8 + wins the Ra5 (26 ... Kf8 27.Qh8#).] 26.Qe3 + f4 27 . Q xf4 + g 5 2 8 . Qf71 B x b 5 29.Re1 + - Bd3 [Or 29 . . . Bd7 30.g4 with the unstoppable idea of Re7 and Qh7#.) 3 0 . R e 8 Qb6 + [Forced. 30 . . . Bg6 3 1 .0f8 + wins the black queen.] 31 .Kh1 Bf5 [Defending against Re6 + .) 3 2 . Qf6 + Kh5 [32 . . . Bg6 33.Qf8 + Kh5 34.g4 + + -] 33.g 4 + B x g 4 34.fxg 4 + Kh4 [34 . . . Kxg4 35 . R e4 + Kh5 36. Qf7 + (.6.Re6#)] 35.Re4 [.6.Qh6#. On 35 ... h5 36.Qh6 with mate next move.] 1-0

(48) Farago,! - Barczay [A57) HUN, 1976

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Nf3 [The critical position.) 8 ... g6 9.e5 dxes 1 0.Nxe5 Bg7 1 1 .Bc4 0-0 12.0-0 Nfd7 1 3.Nxd7 Nxd7 1 4.d6 exd6 1 5.Nxd6 Ne5 1 6.Bd5 Bg4 1 7.f3 Qxd6 1 8.Bxa8 Nd3 1 9.Be3 Bf5 20.Be4 Bxe4 21 .fxe4 Bxb2 22.Rb1 Be5 23.Qb3 Bxh2 + 24.Kh1 Be5 25.Rfd1 Rd8 26.Bxc5 Qxcs 27.Rxd3 Rxd3 28.Qxd3 Qf2

29.Rf1 Qxa2 30.Qd8 + Kg7 31 .Qe7 Bc3 32.e5 Qd5 33.Qd8 Qxe5 34.Qd7 Qh5 + 35.Kg1 Qc5 + 38.Kh1 0-1

Position 25: A57 Zaitsev with 8.Bc4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 aa 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d6 8.Bc4

Graham Burgess nicknamed this the Nescafe Frappe Attack and claimed a significant advantage for white, if only on the psychological grounds that the opening is extremely tactical and aggressive ... and often unfamiliar to Benko enthusiasts. Occasionally, white sacrifices the e-pawn straight away for some s urpr is ing ly st rong compensation. Most players on the black side of the Benko Gambit are willing to part with their pawns. How many are willing to accept them?

White's plan

The Bc4 aims at the f7-weakness and prepares for the usual advance of the

52 Benko Gambit!

e-pawn. Sometimes, white prepares the advance of the e-pawn with Qe2 (and sometimes also Bf4 and Nf3) .

However, after the usual a . . . g6, white can play 9.e5 right away with fabulous complications. Very strong is 8 . . . g69.e5 dxe5 1 O.d6! because 1 O ... exd6 1 1 .Bg5 leaves white with an imposing position. White al ready threatens to mount pressure upon the pinned Nf6 with Qf3, and then to transfer the queen to b3 to intensify the pressure on f7. I n addition, white threatens Bxf6 because . . . Qxf6 allows Nc7 + winning the Rae.

(See game 49.)

In l ines involving an immediate . . . Ra5 (with the threat of . . . Ba6) , white can defend the Nb5 adequately with Qe2 and a4.

(See game 50.)

Note that after e5/ . . . dxe5, white can also play Be3 with good effect because it is very difficult for black to adequately defend the c5-pawn.

Notice also that the e-pawn remains immune in this l ine as well. After 9.Bc4, white again achieves considerable compensation with 9 . . . Nxe4? ! 1 0.Qe2 and the idea of Bf4, Nh3-f4, o-o, and Rfe1 .

Black's plan

Black has three interesting ideas to try after 9.Bc4. The first is 9 . . . Ra5, putting pressure upon the Nb5, eliminating the threat of Nc7 + , and setting up the threat of ... Ba6. However, white has an adequate response with either 1 O.Oe2 and 1 1 .a4, or simply 1 O.a4 straight away. Note that white reinforces the NbS and continues to prepare e5. Moreover, after . . . Ra5 and .. . Ba6, white has the additional resource Na7-c6!

The second idea is 8 . . . Nbd7, aiming to slow e4-e5 and subsequently attacking the Bc4 with . . . Nb6. The plan is slow, however, and white can develop effectively with Nf3 , 0-0, Nd2-c4, retreating the Bc4 to d3 if necessary.

The usual black plan is 9 . . . g6 with the Idea of ... Bg7 and ... 0-0. In this line, however, black must be prepared to defend after 9.e5 dxes 1 O.d6. As I noted above, 1 o . . . exd6 is insufficient owing to 1 1 . B g5 . After 1 O .d6 , b lack must therefore defend the threat of Nc7 +

with 1 0 . . . Na6.

Things to try

Try this l ine against the computer if you want to sharpen your tactical claws!

With both white and black, play against the computer in the line 8 . . . g6 9.e5 dxe5 1 O.d6!. Do you feel comfortable with b lack after 1 o . . . exd6 1 1 . Bg5 ! o r 1 0 . . . Na6?

Try playing white against 8 . . . Nbd7. Are you able to mount sufficient pressure with Nf3, 0-0, and Nf3-d2-c4?

Under what circumstances should white defend the NbS with Oe2? With a4?

(49) Breutigam - Bartelborth [A57) Germany, 1989

1 .d4 NfS 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.Nc3 axb5 s.e4 b4 7.Nb5 dS 8.Bc4 [The critical position.] 8 .. . Ra5 9.Qe2 B a s 1 o .a4 bxa 3 1 1 . Rxa3 Rxa3 1 2.bxa3 Nbd7 1 3.Nf3 Nxe4 1 4.0-0 Bxb5 1 5.Bxb5 Nc3 1 S.Bxd7 + Qxd7 1 7.QaS fS 1 8.Bd2 Ne4 1 9.Rb1 g5 20.QcS Qxcs 21 .dxcs d5 22.Rb8 + Kf7 23.c7 NdS 24.c8Q Nxca 25.Rxc8 e5 26.a4 Age 27.a5 BdS 28.Rxg8 Kxga 29.aS Bb8 30.Ba5 c4 31 .BbS c3

32.Ne1 Kf7 33.Kf1 Ke6 34.a7 Bxa7 35.Bxa7 d4 36.g4 Kd5 37.f3 e4 38.fxe4 + Kxe4 39.Ke2 e2 40.Nd3 f5 41 .gxf5 Kxf5 42.Bxd4 h5 43.Bb2 1-0

(50) Drkulee,V - Andrews,S [A57) Dearborn-US Open, 1992

1 .d4 Nf6 2.e4 e5 3.d5 b5 4.exb5 as 5.Ne3 axb5 6.e4 b4 7.Nb5 d& 8.Be4 [The critical position.] 8 . . . g6 9 .e5 [Introducing fantastic complications.] 9 . . . dxe5 10.d6 [The key move. Very strong is 1 0 . . . exd6 1 1 .Bg5. Try it ! ] 1 0 . . . Na6 [Defending against the threat of Nc7 + .) 1 1 .Nf3 exd6 12.Bg5 [With the threat of 1 3. Nxe5 dxe5 14. QxdB and 1 5.Bxf6.] 1 2 . . . Bb7 1 3.Nxe5 Qe7 [It appears that black will win the Ne5. Whi te is bette r after 1 3 . . . d xe5 1 4.Qxd8 + + -.] 1 4. N xd 6 + I Qxd6 [ B l a c k has no cho ice : . . . Kd8/Nxb7 + + . ) 1 5 . Bxf7 + Ke7 [1 5 . . . Kd8? 1 6.Bxf6 + + -] 1 6.Qxd6 + Kxd6 17.Bxf6 [Recovering the piece and winning the exchange.] 1 7 ... Bh6 1 8.Rd1 + Ke7 1 9.Rd7 + Kb6 20.Bxh8 Rxh& 2 1 .0-0 N bS 22.Ne4 + Ke6 23.Re7 BaS 24.Rd 1 Bf4 25.Bd5 + Kb5 26.b3 Be& 27.g3 Bg5 28.Nd6 + Kb6 2 9 . N x e 8 + Axe& 30 . R b7 + K a & 3 1 .Rxh7 Ne6 32.Be4 + Kb6 33.Rdd7 Nd4 34.Rb7 + Ke6 35.Rhd7 [6Bd5#) 1-0

Position 26: A57 5.b6

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.e4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.exb5 a& 5.b6

As you will see, there is a certain logic to this peculiar move. Rather than taking another pawn on a6, white immediately offers to return the extra

material. In compensation for giving back the pawn, white is able to prevent black from opening the a-file and from developing the BcB to a6.

Recently this move has become quite popular with players who want to throw their opponents off familiar routes and keep the position relatively more closed that in regular Benko Gambit lines.

White's plan

White's fifth move seems strange, but its underlying themes will seem quite familiar. White wants to play e4 without permitting . . . Ba6xf1 . By pushing the pawn to b6, white allows black to capture the pawn immediately with the queen or later with . . . Nb8-d7-b6, but black cannot easily develop the BcB to a6 to impede white's plan of e2-e4.

White therefore proceeds, in most cases, Nc3 and e4 with relatively easy development. White should continue to develop with straightforward moves like Nf3, Be2 and 0-0. The B c 1 often develops to f4 to support e4-e5.

Another powerful idea for white is a2-a4-a5. If black attempts to delay the capture of the pawn on b6 to arrange its

54 Benko Gambit!

capture with the . . . Nb8-d7 -b6, white can play a4 with the Idea of . . . Nxb6/a5, capturing space on the queenside. Note that in many lines, black will be reluctant to counter a4 with a5 because the Nc3 would gain an important outpost at b5.

Black's plan

Although black can capture the pawn immediately with the queen, black more often delays the capture to play . . . Nb8-d7xb6. With that in mind, black usually develops with . . . d6 (to make room for . . . Nb8-d7 and, of course, to inhibit e4-e5) and then . . . Nbd7, . . . g6, . . . Bg7, . . . o-o, and . . . Nxb6.

Obviously, the Bca will not have access to its natural square on a6, so black seeks to play . . . Bg4 to exchange the bishop for the white Nf3.

In the event of a4 by white, black has to decide between . . . a5, g iv ing the b5-square to the white Nc3, or . . . Qxb6 interrupting the plans outlined above. Clearly, black cannot permit white to complete the maneuver a4-a5 with the white pawn still on b6.

(See games 51 and 52.)

Things to try

With wh ite , t ry both the ma in development plan of Nc3, e4, Nf3, Be2, and o-o, as well as different timing plans for a2-a4-a5. Some masters try a4 as early as move seven or eight. Can you force the computer to take the b6-pawn with the queen? Should you then play a4-a5 anyway?

With black, try . . . Qxb6, though spend most of your time with the normal idea of developing with . . . d6, . . . Nbd7, . . . g6,

. . . Bg7, . . . o-o and . . . Nxb6. Do you see that white's b6 makes it much more difficult for black to develop the Bca reasonably?

(51 ) Bewersdorff,O - Libeau,R [A57] NRW-Hessen [3] , 1 991

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a& 5.b6 [The critical position.] s ... d6 [With the idea of . . . Nbd7xb6.] 6.Nc3 [Aiming to s u p p ort e2-e4 . ] 6 . . . g 6 [St ra i g htforward d eve l opment , � . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, . . . Nbd7.] 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.84 [A common theme . Black often will not permit white to play a5.] 9 .. . 85 [Preserving the possibility of . . . Nxb6.] 1 o .Nf3 o-o 1 1 . 0-o Nxb6 12.Re1 Bg4 13.Nd2 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 [Preparing both e5 and augmenting control over b5.] 14 ... Nfd7 1 5.R83 e6 [A familiar strike in the center.] 16.dxe6 fxe6 [With the idea of a later . . . d5.] 17.Nb5 Nes [To its natural square.] 18.Nf3 Nbc4 19.Rb3 Qd7 20.Rd 1 dS 2 1 . N g 5 Nf7 22. N x h 7 1 ? [Taking advantage of the isolation of the black Qd7 to w i n a paw n . ] 22 . . . Kxh7 23.Rh3 + Kg8 24.Qxc4 [The point: the d5-pawn is pinned.] 24 . . . dxc4 25.Rxd7 [But black has seen further! ] 25 . . . Rad8 26.Rd2 Bxb2 [Winning at least the exchange after 27.Rc3!?. ] 0-1

(52) Barkhagen,Jonas -Degerman,Lars [A57] Helsingborg ch-SE (05) , 1991

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 86 5. b6 [The critical position.] s . . . d6 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.a4 as 8.e4 g6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.Bb5 0-0 1 1 .Qe2 Qxb6 12.0-o Ba6 13.Nd2 BxbS 14.axb5 Rfb8 15.Nc4 Qd8 1 6.Bd2 Ne8 17.Ra2 Nc7 18.Nxa5 Bxc3 1 9. bxc3 Nxb5 20.Nc6 Rxa2 21 .Nxd8 Rxd8 22.Qxb5 Rxd2 23.Qb7 Kf8 24.Re1 Rc2 25.f4 f6 26.Qc7 Ke8 27.Re3 Rae 28.h4 Raa2 29.Rg3 Ras

30.h5 Re2 3 1 . hxg6 hxg6 32.Rh3 Ra1 + 33.Kh2 Raa2 34.Qc8 + Kf7 35.Rh7 + 1-0

Position 27: ASS Central Pawn Storm with 7.f4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g& 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.f4

An odd-looking but very aggressive system in which white aims for e2-e4 without having to play Kxf1 . With the pawns on e4 and f4, white will attempt to break through in the center with e5 before black can pursue the usual queenside initiative.

White's plan

White has a number of interrelated ideas in this system. White plays f4 immediately to be able to play Nf3 (behind the f-pawn!) and then (and only then) e2-e4 in a single move. The point is that after e4, white is prepared to answer . . . Bxf1 with Rxf1 , bringing the rook to an active file.

The other key strategy here for white is to use the f-pawn to support e4-e5 as quickly as possible. White hopes that e5 will disrupt black's pawn structure and queenside initiative. If black proceeds normally without taking these ideas into consideration, white will emerge with a dominant center (pawns on d5 and e5!) and be a pawn ahead. I f white is able, the king can seek safety via the later maneuver Ke1 -f2-g1 or even o-o-o if the black attack has been completely prevented.

(See game 53.)

Black's plan

From the critical position, black should develop with . . . d6 (to inhibit e5), and . . . Bg7. One of the key decisions for black occurs after e4 by white. By capturing on f1 , black does prevent white from castling but also brings the rook to f1 . Black usually captures the bishop on f1 , but it by no means obligatory.

In this line, black often develops the q ueen to a5 , though a st ronger alternative may be . . . Qb6. There, the queen guards against white pawn advances to the s ixth rank (after e5/ . . . dxe5/fxe5) and the . . . Qb6 prevents the white king from seeking shelter via f2 and g1 .

(See game 54.)

After e5 by white, black will usually play . . . Nf6-g4 where it applies pressure to the white e5-pawn and works well with the Qb6 in creating a variety of tactical threats on f2 and e3.

The play in the center of the board often forces black to delay the development of the NbB and to delay 0-0, since moves such as . . . d6, . . . Bg7, . . . Qb6 and

56 Benko Gambit!

. . . Ng4 must be played first. The NbS can develop (after Bxf1 ) to a6 or, after e5 and an exchange of pawns in the center, to d7 where the knight can apply even more pressure (in conjunction with the Ng4 and Bg7) to the white center pawns.

Things to try

With white, develop in the usual way with f4, Nf3, e4, and e5. Does the computer play . . . Bxf 1? How much pressure can the computer bring to bear on the white center? Are you able to secure the white king? Are you able to play e6 effectively?

With black, you may not be able to prevent e4-e5, but can you restrain the further advance of the white pawn center and prevent the computer from moving the king to g1?

Try developing your queen to as and b6. Which do you prefer? Do you find that you get acceptable results by delaying o-o or do you find yourself wanting to o-o on nearly every move?

Finally, make sure that you delay the development of the NbB until white's pawns reach d5 and e5 . . . unless of course , the computer refuses to expand in the center.

(53) Varlet - Thibault [A58) FRA-chT, 1989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 6.Nc3 g6 7.f4 [The critical position.] 7 . . • Bg7 8.Nf3 Qb6 9.e4 Bxf1 1 0.Rxf1 Ng4 1 1 .h3 Ne3 12.Bxe3 Oxb2 1 3.e5 Qxc3 + 1 4.Kf2 f6 1 5.Qb3 Qxb3 1 6.axb3 Rxa1 1 7.Rxa1 fxe5 1 8.fxe5 0-0 1 9.Ke2 d6 20.Ra7 dxe5 21 .Ng5 R d 8 22. N e 6 R xd 5 2 3 . R a 8 Kf7 24.Ng5 + 1-0

(54) Guidez - Koch JR [ASB] France, 1989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.f4 [The critical position.] 7 . . . d6 [Natural development, inhibiting e4-e5.) 8.Nf3 [Part of white's plan. White will play e2-e4 in one move and recapture on f1 with the Rh1 .) 8 .. . Bg7 9.e4 Bxf1 1 0.Rxf1 [White aims to play e5 quickly. As necessary, white can safeguard the king by walking it to g1 via f2.) 1 0 . . . Qb6 [Discouraging Kf2 and applying pressure to b2.] 1 1 .0e2 [To support e4-e5, b2, and Be3 . ] 1 1 . . . Nbd7 1 2.e5 [White persists In playing e5 without securing the position of his king.) 12 .. . dxe5 1 3.fxe5 Ng4 [Black mounts effective counterplay with three attacks on the e5-pawn.] 1 4.e6 fxe6 1 5.dxe6 Nde5 1 6.Nxe5 Nxe5 [Black has achieved an excellent outpost for the Ne5 as well as good activity on the queenside.] 1 7.Bh6 [Seeking further complications in order to develop as quickly as possible.] 17 ... Bxh6 1 8.0xe5 0-0-0 [With the threat of ... Bd2 + .] 19.Rf2 c4 20.Rd1 Be3 2 1 . R f 1 Bd4 2 2 . 0 e4 Qxb2 23.Qa8 + Kc7 24.Qa5 + Kb8 25.Rxd4 Rxd4 26.0e5 + Rd6 27.0xh8 + Kb7 28.Qe5?? (28. Rf8 Rxe6 + 29. Kd 1 (29. Kf1 Qc1 + 30. Kf2 Oe3 + 3 1 . Kf1 Qe1 #) . . . Rd6 + = ] Qd2# o-1

Position 28: A57 Gambit Declined

with 4.Nf3 Bb7

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 Bb7

One of the most flexible methods for declining the Benko Gambit is 4.Nf3 because in some lines white retains the possibil ity of accepting the gambit

Benko Gambit! 57

pawn more favorably. There are three related Power Play! positions involving three black responses to 4.Nf3. Here, we examine 4 . . . Bb7 challenging the white center . Immediately, often in conjunction with . . . e6.

White plays 5.a4

White has a large number of choices in this position, and the selection depends very much upon the first player's style. With 5.a4, white intends to force black to clarify the queenside and the center immediately. Black can choose to retain chances on the queenside with 5 . a4 a6 or i m m ed iately seal the queenside with 5 . . . b4.

After 5.a4 a6, white should proceed 6.axb5 axb5 7.Rxa8 Bxaa 8.Nc3 inviting 8 . . . bxc4 9.e4 or a . . . b4 9.Nb5. Black's best chance in this line may be 8 . . . Qa5, though white stands well after 9. Bf4 with the idea of Nd2 (to dull the effect of the black Oa5) and responding to . . . . b4 with Nb5.

Sealing the queenside with 5.a4 b4 is not to everyone's liking, especially with t h e B b7 beh ind the f ixed pawn structure. Both sides are l ikely to

fianchetto their bishops to g2 and g7 and castle. Black will probably attempt to secure play in the center and to free the Bb7 with . . . e6.

(See game 55.)

White plays 5.Nfd2

T h is unusual move introduces a deceptively powerful plan . . . to secure the center with 6.e4 and to develop as quickly as possible. After 5.Nfd2, black has tried 5 . . . d6 and 5 . . . bxc4, but black's strongest move is probably 5 . . . b4 with the Idea of inhibiting the development of the white Nb1 . Normally, black is somewhat rel uctant to seal t h e queen side pawn structure, but here, the Nd2 blocks the natural developing square for the queen knight.

(See game 56.)

White plays 5.Nc3

This Is similar to 5.Nfd2 in that it too threatens 6.e4. Black should therefore be sure to avoid the exchange 5.Nc3 bxc4 6.e4. Far better, yet again, is 5 ... b4 6.Na4 (6.Nb5? a6) . Rather than retreat the knight to the rim, white can try to exploit the unprotected Bb7 with 5 . . . b4 6.0b3 (with the idea of retreating the N c3 -d 1 ) , but black can d evelop sensibly with . . . Qa5 or . . . Qc7 and then . . . g6 and . . . Bg7.

Things to try

Try playing the positions after each of white's three main tries here. Do you feel comfortable with white or black after black plays . . . b4?

58 Benko Gambit!

White often plays S.a4 to force black to clarify the queenside. Do you see why white might want to do this before further developing the knights?

With black in the line after 5.a4 b4, are you able to generate any counterplay in the center with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, . . . 0-0, and . . . e6?

(55) Xu Jun - Fedorowicz,J [A57] Luzern, 1 989

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 Bb7 [The critical position.] 5.a4 b4 [Fixing the queenside pawns is not a decision that all will enjoy, especially with the Bb7 behind the fixed pawn structure.] 6. N bd 2 d 6 [Preparing normal development with .. . Nbd7.] 7.e4 e5 [An unusual decision in the Benko, played here to inhibit eS and to emerge with a useful pawn break, .. .f5.] 8.g3 g& 9.Bg2 Bg7 10.0-0 0-0 1 1 .Ne1 [Preparing f4.] 1 1 ... Nbd7 1 2.f4 exf4 1 3.gxf4 Nh5 [With the idea of .. . fS. ] 1 4.Nd3 f5 1 5.exf5 Bd4 + 1 6.Kh1 Rxf5 1 7.Nf3 Bg7 18.Be3 Nb6 [Playing on the pin of the b2-pawn to force white to defend the c-pawn with his pieces.] 1 9.Qc2 Ba6 20.Nd2 Rb8 21 .0b3 Rf8 22.Rae1 Bee [The bishop will reenter the fray at f5.] 23.Ne4 Bf5 24.Ng5 Od7 25.Be4 h6 26.Bxf5 Qxf5 27.Nf3 as [With the threat of . . . Nxa4 and . . . Qxd3. ] 28.Nxc5 dxc5 29.Bxc5 [Winning two pawns for the piece and also attempting to mobilize the two connected passers in the center . B lack m u st g ive u p the exchange here or face Bxb6 and c5/d6.] 29 .. . Qh3 [6 . . . Ng3; 6 . . . Rxf4] 30.Bxf8 Rxf8 31 .Rf2 Nd7 [6 .. . Nc5, overprotecting the RfB. ] 32.d6 Kh8 [Avoiding c5 (discovered check) . ] 33.Nd4 Oh4 34.0e3 Nxf4 35.Nc6 Nd3 36.Rxf8 + Nxf8 37.Rf1 Qxc4 38.Ne7 Kh7 39.0g3 [6Rxf8 and Qxg6 + . ) 39 .. . Ne5 40.Rd 1 b3 41 .0g2 h5 42.Qd5

Of4 43.0g2 Oxa4 [Black has effectively blockaded the white d-pawn and will now p u s h t h e q u e e ns ide pawn majority.) o-1

(56) Staniszewski - Kuligowski [A57] POL-ch, 1 987

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 Bb7 [The critical position.] 5.Nfd2 b4 6.e4 e5 7.f4 Oe7 8.fxe5 Qxe5 9.Bd3 d6 10.Nf3 Oe7 1 1 .o-0 Nbd7 1 2.Bf4 Ng4 13.a3 a5 1 4.axb4 cxb4 1 5.Qa4 Kd8 16.0b5 Nc5 17.Rxa5 Rxa5 1 8.Qxa5 + Kca 19.Bc2 b3 20.Nc3 bxc2 21.Nb5 Nd3 22.Bg5 f6 23.Nfd4 Nge5 24.0b6 fxg5 25.Na7 + Kb8 26.Nac6 + Nxc& 27 . N xc6 + Kc8 28 .Rxf8 + Qxf8 2 9 . N a 7 + Kb8 30 . N c6 + Kc8 31 .Na7 + �-�

Position 29: A57 Gambit Declined

with 4.Nf3 b4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 b4

In Position 28, we saw that black often plays . . . b4 after being provoked by a4 or by w h ite kn ight m oves that encourage the sealing of the queenside pawn structure.

I n this position, black plays . . . b4 right away. The advantage for black is that he has not yet invested time in . . . Bc8-b7 when the bishop submerges behind the fixed central pawn structure. In those l i n es , b l a c k has to spend t i m e redeploying the . . . Bb7-c8 o r attempting to break in the center with . . . e6. By contrast, white has not yet made a move (such as Nfd2) that has, in any sense, encouraged black to play . . . b4.

Benko Gambit! 59

The Nb1 , for example, can now develop followed by the development of the Bf1 safely to d2. and 0-0.

White's plan

White has a number of interesting ideas to consider in this position. White knows that black will usually develop with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0. White can therefore play b3 to oppose the black dark-squared bishop on g7 with a bishop on b2. Further development continues Nbd2 and e4. The Bf1 should develop to d3 or e2, with 0-0 to follow.

White can also play Nbd2 first to await events In the center. If, for example, black tries to seal the center with ... e5, white will be happy not having posted the Bc1 on b2 behind the locked center. White would then be able to develop effectively by leaving the Bc1 at home and developing the Ra1 with a2-a3 and Ra2.

Obviously, the Nbd2 line has the added idea of a quick e4 followed by the completion of kingside development. In this l ine, should black continue as expected with . . . g6 and . . . Bg7, white usual ly transposes with b3 , B b2 ,

(See game 57.)

Perhaps the most aggressive plan for white Involves 5.Bg5 with the idea of Nbd2/e4 and the development of the Bf1 and o-o. This move prevents black from playing the usual . . . e6 counter because white would be able to play e2-e4 with the obviously powerful threat of e4-e5.

(See game 58.)

Black's plan

If white plays b3 (and Bb2), black should consider sealing the center with . . . d6 and . . . e5. Black would then be able to generate chances on the kingside with a later . . .f7-f5.

In most lines, black will also complete the development of the kingside with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0.

In lines in which white plays a2-a3, black must be careful not to play . . . bxa3 because white will suddenly obtain activity on the queenside. Far better is . . . Na6 with the idea of recapturing with . . . Na6xb4. Note that black must also be careful not to respond automatically to a3 with . . . as because white would almost certainly play axb4 to force . . . cxb4. If black has the time, black should play . . . as before white plays a3 in order to solid ify the queenside further.

Against 5.Bg5, black should develop normally with . . . d6, . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0. Black again aims to play . . . e5 with the idea of sealing the center and heading towards a later .. .f7-f5 pawn break.

Things to try

With white, try developing with both 5.Nbd2 and 5.Bg5. In both variations, are you able to play e2-e4? After 5.Nbd2, how quickly are you able to develop the kingside? Where do you develop the Bf1 ?

Also with white, try timing a2-a3 at different times. I s a3 more effective before or after black has played . . . a7-a5?

With black, you know that you will develop the kingside in the usual way with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-o. But you will have to attend to the rest of your development as well. Should you try to play ... as before white plays a3? When is . . . e5 best played? Where does the computer develop the Bc1 ? When white plays Bb2, should you always aim for . . . e5 in this variation?

13.Bf4 ReS 1 4.Rfd 1 Rb8 1 5.Nf1 Rb6 1 6.Ne3 Bb7 1 7.Ng4 h5 1 8.Ngh2 aS 19.Re1 es 20.Rab1 Cas 21 .Qd1 a4 22.Bc2 Ras 23.g4 hxg4 24.Nxg4 e5 25.Be3 Bc8 26.Nfh2 Nf6 27.Qf3 Nh5 28.Nh6 + Bxh6 29.Bxh6 Bd7 30.Bd1 Qd8 3 1 . Q g 2 Qh4 3 2 . B g 4 Bxg4 33.hxg4 Nf6 34.Bd2 Kg7 35.f4 exf4 36.Bxf4 Nh5 37.Bd2 Nf6 38.Re2 Re7 39.Rbe1 Nce8 40.g5 Nh5 41 .Nf3 Qg3 42.e5 dxe5 43.Qxg3 Nxg3 44.Rxe5 Rxes 45. Nxe5 Nd6 46. Bf4 Ngf5 47.Kg2 Ra8 48.Rh1 ReS 49.Rh3 Re7 50.Nc6 Re4 51 .Be5 + f6 52.Bxf6 + Kf7 5 3 . R h 8 ReS 54 . R h 7 + Kg 8 55.Rh8 + Kf7 56.Nd8 + Rxd8 57.Rxd8 Ne4 58.Rd7 + Ke8 59.Rd8 + Kf7 60.Kf3 1-0

Position 30: A57 Gambit declined with 4.Nf3 bxc4

(57) Stickler,A - Sievers,S BRD-BL, 1992

[A57) The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 b4 [The critical position.] 5.Nbd2 gs 6.e4 Bg7 7.Bd3 o-o 8.0-0 dS 9.Re1 es 10.dxes Bxes 1 1 .Nf1 Ncs 12.h3 Nd7 1 3.Ne3 Nde5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 1 5.Nd5 Nd4 16.a3 b3 17.Be3 Rb8 18.Rc1 Qh4 1 9.Rc3 Bd7 20.Bf1 Kh8 21 .Bc1 f5 22.g3 Qd8 23.Bg2 f4 24.g4 Qh4 25.f3 h5 26.Rf1 as 27.Qe1 Qd8 28.Qf2 Bh& 29.Bd2 Bg5 30.Be1 Be6 31 .gxh5 gxh5 32.Kh2 Rg8 33.Rg 1 Rb7 34.Bf1 Rbg7 35.Qd2 Bh4 36. Rxg 7 Rxg7 37. Bf2 Bxf2 38.Qxf2 Rg3 o-1

(58) Phominykh - Pisulinski [A57] Katowice (03), 1 991

1 .d4 NfS 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 bxc4

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 b4 [The The immediate capture permits white to critical position. ) 5.Bg5 d6 6.N bd2 pursue a clear strategy in the center Nbd7 7.e4 g6 8.h3 Bg7 9.Bd3 0-0 with s.Nc3 and 6.e4. With black, you 1 0.0-0 h6 1 1 .Be3 NeB 12.Qc2 Nc7 should spend enough time here to

Benko Gambit!

recognize that the immediate capture l essens the num ber of options at black's d isposal. The free nature of white's position here is one of the reasons black has searched for other resources, including 4 . . . a5 and 4 . . . Bb7 as examined in the two previous Power Play! positions.

White's plan

The immed iate capt u re 4 . . . bxc4, clarifies white's situation. White can now play 5.Nc3 (with the ideas of 6.e4) without having to worry about the possibility of . . . b4.

White usually plays Nc3, e4 and Bc4 with the idea of attacking the black center as quickly as possible with e4-e5. B lack captu res the pawn , permitting Nf3-e5 . I f black fails to challenge the Ne5, white will defend this key outpost with 0-0, Re1 , and Bf4.

(See game 59.}

If black does challenge the Ne5, usually with ... Nfd7, white should proceed with Nc6 or the speculative Nxf7 because the retreat . . . Ne5-f3 would make it difficult for white to defend the d-pawn adequately.

(See game 60.)

White can proceed more cautiously by castling before playing e5. This slower p lan g ives black enough t ime to challenge the e5-push, either by playing . . . Bg4 (pinning the Nf3) or by playing . . . Nbd7 or . . . Nfd7.

Black's plan

Black may experience some difficulty reaching equal ity in this line because the . . . bxc4 capture permits white to

develop quickly and freely. Normally, black will continue by developing the kingside with . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0. The . . . d6-push is essential to prevent and then inhibit white from advancing the e-pawn to e5.

From the critical position, play normally continues 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 d6 (to prevent e4-e5) 7.Bxc4 Bg7 8.e5. If white avoids playing e5 immediately, perhaps with 8.0-0, black should take the opportunity to inhibit the advance of the e-pawn with . . . Bg4.

After B.e5, black should capture the e-pawn with 8 . . . dxe5 9.Nxe5 and, after 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.0-0, challenge the white Ne5 immediately by playing 1 0 . . . Nfd7, a move that brings both the knight and the Bg7 to bear on the key e5-square.

The usual white response is 1 1 .Nc6 because 1 1 .Nf3 permits black to attack the white d-pawn effectively with . . . Nb6 and . . . Bb7. After 1 1 .Nc6, black obtains a satisfactory game with 1 1 . . . Nxc6 and 1 2 . . . Nb6.

Things to try

Spend most of your time here in the main l ine after 5.Nc3 g6 6.e4 d6 7.Bxc4 Bg7 8.e5. With white, are you able to defend the e5-outpost with o-o, Re1 , and Bf4? With black, are you able to drive the white knight from e5?

With white, are you able to make effective use of the Bc4? With black, are you able to drive the Bc4 back to e2 or d3 with . . . Nd7-b6?

(59) Vegh - Laszlo Kiss [A57) Hungary, 1991

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 bxc4 [The critical position.] 5.Nc3 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bxc4 Bg7 S.es dxes 9.Nxes 0-0

62 Benko Gambit!

1 o.o-o Bb7 1 1 .Re1 Nea 12.Bg5 Bf& l two m ov e s : 4 . . . b 4 sea l i n g the 1 3.Bh6 Ng7 1 4.0b3 Ob& 1 5.Ng4 Ba& q u ee n s i d e pawn st ruct u re ; and 1 6.Nxf6 + Qxf6 1 7.Ne4 Qb6 1 8.Qc3 f& 4 . . . bxc4. The first choice may not be at 1 9.d6 + e& 20.Nxf6 + 1-0 all to the liking of the Benko Gambiteer,

while the second permits white to (60) Sokolov,l - Pogliano,S [A57] develop easily with Nc3 and Bxc4. Still,

San Bernardino, 1989 as we will see, there Is nothing for black

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Nf3 bxc4 [The critical position.) 5.Nc3 g& &.e4 d& 7 .es dxe5 8.Nxe5 Bg7 9.Bxc4 o-o 1 0.0-0 Nfd7 1 1 .Nxf7 Rxf7 12.d6 Nb& 13.Bxf7 + Kxf7 14.0f3 + Kg& 15.Nd5 N8d7 1 &.dxe7 Oea 1 7. Nc7 Qxe7 18.Nxa8 Ne5 1 9.0d1 Nbc4 20.Qb3 1-0

Position 31 : A57 Gambit Declined

with 4.a4

The opening moves:

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.a4

Gambits are not for everyone. Here, white refuses to uwin" the extra pawn, preferring instead to proceed more positionally with 4.a4. Obviously, black cannot defend the b5-pawn with 4 . . . a6 because white would answer 5.axb5. Black therefore must decide between

to fear in either line.

Black plays 4 ... b4

With 4 . . . b4, black seals the queenside and aims for quick development. The closed queenside almost invites black to fianchetto the Bf8 with . . . g6 and . . . Bg7. Black will almost certainly . . . 0-0, although the locked queenside pawns permit him to think about settling his king there.

To gain effective counterplay, black also has to develop the queenside pieces. An immediate ... d6 is playable, though even more satisfactory is the often seen plan . . . Bb7 and . . . e6 with perfectly reasonable play.

As unappealing as . . . b4 may be for black, it certainly does not create much opportunity for white. White probably develops with b3 and Bb2 on the queenside and with g3, Bg2 and 0-0 on the kingside. The knights rest most naturally on d2 and e2, with the e-pawn helping to secure the center from e4.

(See game 61.)

Black plays 4 ... bxc4

In this line, white should play 5.Nc3 with the idea of e4 and Bxc4.

Black can try to hold the extra pawn on c4 with 5. Nc3 d6 6.e4 Ba6, but white can then play sharply in the center with 7.f4 and 8.Nf3 with the idea of d4-d5.

Benko Gambit! 63

Black is far better advised to develop quickly with . . . g6, . . . d6, and . . . Bg7. Black then equalizes rather quickly if he can find an effective development for the Nbe and the Bee. Black often plays . . . Ba6 (with the idea of exchanging the Ba6 for the more active white Bc4) or to . . . Bg4 to exchange the bishop for the white Nf3.

I n turn , white can play for central expansionwith f4and Nf3, oraimforthe central e5-break by playing Bf4.

(See game 62.)

Things to try

Black should b e able to obtain a perfectly playable game In both of these l ines. Try playing black in both.

I n the . . . b4 1ine, do you feel comfortable with the closed pawn structure? Where do you develop your king? I n one game, try walking the king to the queenslde to hide behind the fixed pawn structure. If you decide to play . . . Bb7 and . . . e6, where should you place your king?

In the . . . bxc4 l ine, are you able to develop your Nbe and Bee? Does the computer play Nc3, e4 and Bxc4? Are you able to exchange the Bc4 with the . . . Bce-a6xc4 maneuver? Are you able to generate any counterplay after . . . g6, . . . Bg7, and . . . 0-0?

(61 ) Prange,S - Widmann,R [A57) Dortmund op (6), 1987

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.a4 [The critical position.] 4 . . . b4 5.b3 g6 6.Bb2 Bg7 7.e4 d6 s.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 e6 10.Ne2 exd 5 1 1 .exd5 N bd7 1 2. 0-0 N e5 13.Ng3 h5 1 4.Ra2 h4 15.Ne4 Nh5 1 6.f4 Nxd3 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qxd3 Bf5 1 9. N bd2 N g 3 20 .Qb 1 N x f 1

21 .Qa1 + f6 22.Kxf1 Qe7 23.Ng5 Qe3 24.Ne6 + Kh8 0-1

(62) Kobese - Docx [A57) IDJM, SW 91-44, 1 991

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.a4 [The critical position.] 4 . . . bxc4 5.Nc3 d6 6.e4 Ba6 7.f4 e6 8.dxe6 fxe6 9.Nf3 d5 10.e5 d4 1 1 .exf6 dxc3 1 2.f7 + Ke7 13.Qc2 Qd5 14.bxc3 Kxf7 1 5.Ne5 + Kf6 16.Be3 Bb7 1 7.Qf2 g6 1 8.Bxc4 Qxg2 1 9.Qh4 + Kg7 20.Rg 1 Qe4 21 .Qg3 Be7 22.0-0-0 Ba6 23.Bxe6 Qxa4 24.Nxg6 Qa1 + 25.Kc2 Qa4 + 26.Kb2 Nc6 27.Ne5 + Kf6 28.Qg7 + Kxe6 29.Qf7 + 1-0

64 Benko Gambit!

Grandmaster Gymnasium by International Grandmasters

John Fedorowicz and Ron Henley

When we originally scheduled this project, I planned to wrestle with Fritz myself in the Grandmaster Gymnasium. But John Fedorowicz and I were meeting reg ularly for one-on-one basketball games at the Downtown Athletic Club. It seemed a shame to let the world's leading expert on the Benko go to waste, so I asked him to pinch-hit for me. To our delight, he accepted the invitation.

Computers are notoriously slow to understand the Benko with its positional compensation for the pawn, but they can still pose problems even to a strong player. The best way to improve is to find positions you don't understand and play them until you learn something, even if it means absorbing a few losses.

John played the following nine games at 1 0 minutes a game on a 486-SOMhz machine, forcing Fritz to jump through hoops and providing all of us with a rousing instructional set.

In Game 1 John takes the white side of CBU221 PP#1 . Fritz plays well, but bites off more than he can chew. White finishes with a rook sacrifice leading to a mating attack.

(63) Fedorowicz - Fritz [Fedorowicz) CBU-221 PP#1

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 bS 4.cxb5 as 5.bxa6 Bxa6?1 [This inaccuracy allows white the double fianchetto, where white's Bb2 is able to neutralize the powerful Benko Bg7.) 6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 g6 8 .b31 Bg7 9 .Bb2 0-0 1 0. N h 3 [Benko Gambit P P # 1 . ) 1 0 . . . Nbd7 1 1 .0-0 Qb6 [This develops the black

queen, puts pressure on the b-file and connects the black rooks.] 1 2.Bc3 Rfb8 1 3.Nf4 Ra7 14.Qc21;!; [The text protects my Bc3 and prepares Rf1 -d 1 to protect the d5-pawn. Dubious is 1 4.Nd2? ! Nh5 ! 1 5.Bxg7 Nxf4 1 6.gxf4 Kxg7+t (Fritz). ] 14 . • . Qb7 1 5.h4 [ 15 Rd1 !?] 1 5 . . . Bh61? [Here Fritz plays an interesting idea, surrendering his Bg7 for my Nf4, but his later play is faulty.] 1 6 . Rd 1 [P rotect ing the val uable d5-pawn.] 16 .. . Bxf4 17.gxf4 Nh5 18.e3 Ndf6 19.Bf31 [The white bishop-pair keeps the black knight-pair under observation.] 19 .. . h6? [Fritz wants to create a haven on h7 for his king, but in doing so he weakens g6. ] 20.Kh21± [Prepar

'ing Rd1 -g1 hitting the target on

g6.) 20 ... Kh7 21 .Nd2 [Preparing to exchange my undeveloped knight for one of , the black kingside defenders (with the idea Nd2-e4) .] 21 . . . Nxd5?? [The losing moment as Fritz's material greed allows white to launch a mating attack.) 22.Bxh5 + - Nxc3 23.Rg1 1--. [This allows me to focus on g6.] 23 . . . N e2 [23 . . . Rg8 24.Qxc3 gxh5 25.Rxg8 KxgB 26.Rg1 + + -] 24.Rxg6! [The attack culminates with a rook sacrifice on the weakened g6-point.] 24 . • • fxg6 25.Qxg6 + Kh8 26.Qxh6 + Kg8 27.Bxe2 [27.Bxe2 Bxe2 28.Rg1 + Kf7 29.Qg6 + KfB 30.0gB# ; 27.Bg4 + ­(Threatening 28. Be6 + ). ] 27 .. . Qg2 + 1-0

I n t h e n ext game, Fedorowicz establishes a queenside bind and ties up white 's bishop at c 1 . Fritz is eventually squeezed to death by black's passed pawn.

Benko Gambit! 65

(64) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz] CBU221PP#4, 1993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.ds bS 4.cxbs a6 S.bxa6 g6 6.g3 Bxa6 7.Nc3 d6 8.Nh3 [The idea here is to overprotect the d5-pawn and assist in a possible kingside attack.) 8 • . . Bg7 9.Nf4 0-0 1 0.h4 [This secures the Nf4 and creates the possibility of h4-h5.) 1 o . . . hs [Preventing h4-h5 by white, but this weakens the g6-pawn.) 1 1 .Bg2 Nbd7 1 2.0-0 Ng4!Z [Increasing the Bg7's power on the long diagonal, while looking to transfer this knight to the queenside via e5.] 1 3.a4?1 [While this is a passed pawn, it lacks sufficient support for this premature advance. Fritz weakens h is b4- , b3-, and c4-squares and in general loosens his queenside position.] 1 3 ... Nb6 14.Qc2 Nc4lt [This establishes a bind and prevents white from developing his q ueenside (especial ly the B c 1 ) . ] 1 S. b3? [Overlooking the point of 1 4 . . . Nc4!. Better is 1 5.Rb1 .) 1 5 ... Qa51 [Th i s counterattack on the N c3 exposes white on the long diagonal. Note how the Nc4 prevents white from supporting his Nc3.) 16.bxc4D axel 1 7.Qxc3 Bxc3 18.Ra2 [ 1 8.Ra3 Bb4+] 18 . • • Bb41 [Now the white c4-pawn will fal l , after which black will have a connected passed c-pawn and the white a-pawn will be next on the menu. Not 1 8 . . . Bxc4? 1 9. Rc2 + -.) 1 9. R c2 NeS+ 20.Nd3 Nxc4 21 .Bg5 [21 .Nxb4 cxb4+ (White's bishop-pair will be no match for the powerful passed b-pawn supported by the strong Nc4).) 21 .. .f6 22.Bf4 Bas 23.Rfc1 Nb6 24.Nb2 Bc81 [The bishop relocates to d7 where it will attack the a4-pawn.] 25.e4 Bd7 26.Ra 1 Bb4 27.Nd3 Nxa4 28.Nxb4 cxb4 29.Rc7 [Fritz goes for counterplay with his rook on the seventh rank.) 29 ... Nc51 [Protecting the Bd7 while preventing

the rook from going behind (b7) the passed b-pawn.] 3 0 . R x a a R x a a 31 .Be3 b31- + [This timely advance of the b-pawn wins material.] 32.Bd4 [32.Bxc5 b2 33.Rb7 Ra1 + - + ) 32 ... Ra4 33 . Bxcs d x cs l ? [33 .. . b2 34.Rb7 Ra1 + - + ] 34.Rb7 Rb4 35.Rxb4 cxb4

�6.Bf1 b2 37.Bd3 Bb51 [The white king IS too far away, allowing black to dislodge the blockad ing bishop. ] 38.Bb1 b 3 39.14 Be2 40.e5 Bd 1 41 .exf6 exf6 42.d6 Kf8 43.d7 Ke7 44.d80 + Kxd8 45.Kf2 Bc2 o-1

In Game 3, Fritz plays wel l with Seirawan's aggressive 9. g4, but the machine misses a clean draw on Move 28. As usual, Fritz has problems with the super-positional themes of the Benko -human opponents often exhibit the same lack of understanding.

(65) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz] CBU221 PP#8, 1993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.ds bs 4.cxbs a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.g4 [This system for white was popularized by the American GM Vasser Seirawan.] 9 . . . Bg7 1 0.Kg2 0-0 1 1 .h3 [Vasser's idea is that white secures a space advantage on the kingside and then continues with his development.] 1 1 ... Nbd7 12.Nf3 Cas 13.Bf41? [White is aggresively building for the central e4-e5 pawn break. The drawback to this move is that the bishop leaves c1 and gives up defense of b2.] 1 3 ... Rfb8 14.Qe2 Qa6 [The white queen is the glue that holds together the white position. So after exchanging queens, white will be even more vulnerable. It is a thematic idea in the Benko for black to exchange queens even though he has one pawn less.] 1 S. R he1 Qxe2 1 6.Rxe2 Rb4 [Pressures e4 and f4, while inviting

66 Benko Gambit!

white to weaken himself on the queenside with a2-a3.) 1 7.Rc1 Nb6 18.Bg5 Kf8 (Protecting the e7-pawn t

.o

free the Nf6 for action.) 19.a3? [Th1s weakens the b3-square and allows black to exert heavy pressure on the b2-pawn. ) 19 ... Rb3 20.Rec2 Na41 (By trading the Nc3, black exposes the e4-pawn and adds the Bg7 to the attack on the b2-pawn. ] 2 1 . Nxa4 Rxa4 22.Nd2D Rb8 23.f3 [White secures his e4-pawn.] 23 . . . Nd7 (Now white must decide how to protect his b2-pawn.] 24.Nc4 (24.b4 Rxa3 25.bxc5 Nxcs;) 24 . . . Ne5 (Again trading knights to expose the b2-pawn.) 25.Nxe5 Bxe5 26.b41D (White correctly decides to liquidate the queenside pawns rather than risk losing his a- and b-pawns. Less effective is 26.Rb1 Rxa3 27.bxa3 RxbH 28. Ra2 c4 29 . a4 c3 30.a5 Rb2 + ! - + .) 2 6 . . . Bd4 [26 . . . cxb4 27.Rc8 + Rxc8 28.Rxc8 + Kg7 29.axb4 f6 30.Be3 Rxb4 3 1 .Rc2 = ) 27.bxc5 Bxc5 = 28.Rc3 f&l? [28 . . . Rxa3 (Leads to a clear draw) .] 29.Be3 Bxe3 30.Rxe3 Rb2 + ll! 3 1 . Kg3 Rd41? = 32. Rc7? [This pseudo-active move actually c o nt r i butes to w h ite ' s coming misfortune. The rook was needed at home to cover his monarch's rear.] 32 . . . Rdd2-+ 33.h4 g51- + [This nails the coffin shut on the white king.) 34.hxg5 fxg5 35.f4 Rg2 + 36.Kh3 Rh2 + 37.Kg3 Rbg2 + 38.Kf3 Rf2 + 39.Kg3 gxf4 + 0-1

In the next game, Fritz commits his queenside pawns too early and John takes full advantage of the premature target created on a4. He eventu?I IY picks white's position apart, tak1ng advantage of black's loose pieces and pawns.

(66) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz] CBU221PP#10, 1 993

1 .d4 Nf& 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a& 5.bxa6 g& 6.Nc3 Bxa& 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.Nf3 Bg7 1 O.g3 [White creates a haven on g2 for his king. This method is less ambitious than the S e i rawan syst e m , wh i te m e re ly attempting to utilize his extra queenside pawn.] 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .Kg2 Nbd7 12.h3 [Preventing the useful maneuver by black of . . . Nf6-g4-e5.) 12 .. . Ra7 1 3.a4?1 [Fritz has a habit of playing this move, often prematurely. Human GMs play Rh1 -e1 -e2 to support the queenside.] 13 ... Qa81 [An excellent placement of the queen as it exerts pressure on a4 and latent pressure on the a8-g2 diagonal. ] 1 4.Bg5 Rb7 1 5.b3 Rfb8 16.Ra3?1 [The rook is very passive here. More interesting is 1 6. Nd2!? . ] 16 . . . Qa51 [Attacking the Nc3, while creating the possibility of ... Qa5-b4 with a double attack on a3 and e4.) 1 7.0c2 c41 [Unleashing the power of black's doubled rooks.] 18.Nd2 ( 1 8.bxc4 Rb2 1 9.0c1 Qc5- + ) 1 8 . . . cxb3 1 9.Rxb3 Rxb3 20.Nxb3 Qb4t [White has many loose pieces and pawns in his camp.] 2 1 .Rb1 ReS 22.Bd2 Ne5 23.a5 Oc4 24.f3 h5 25.0d 1 Nfd7 26.Ne2 Nd3 [The black pieces slowly filter into the white position.] 27.Nf4 Nxf4 + 28.Bxf4 Qc2 + ( B lack sti l l has attacking chances against the exposed white position even with just three pieces left on the board. ] 29.Qxc2 Rxc2 + 30.Kg1 Ra2 (Rooks belong behind passed pawns.) 31 .Bg5 Ne5 [Exposing the weakness of the vital f3-pawn.) 32.Nd4 (32.Bxe7 Nxf3 + 33.Kf1 Bes (With the threat of 34 . . . Bg3 and 35 . . . Rf2#) . ] 32 . . . Ra4 33.f4? [A serous mistake. Fritz loosens his position and makes his Bg5 vulnerable. Better is 33.Be3 Nc4 (33 . . . Rxd4? 34.Bxd4 Nxf3 + 35.Kg2

Benko Gambit! 67

Nxd4 36 .a6 + -) 34 . Bf2 Bf6�.] 33 . . . Rxd4 34. fxe5 Bxes 35. Bxe7 Rxe4+ [Threatens 36 .. . Bd4 + winning the Be7. Even though material is even, the fragmented white pawn structure offers black some winning chances.] 36.Rb8 + Kh7 37.Bh4? [The decisive mistake as extricating this bishop will cost white his kingside pawns.] 37 ... f61 [Simply threatening 38 . . . g5 winning the Bh4.] 38.a6 [38.g4 hxg4 39.Kg2 Ra4 40 . Be 1 (40 . hxg4 Rxg4 + 4 1 . Kh 3 Ra4- + ) . . . Ra2 + - + ] 38 . . . Ra41 [38 . . . g5 39.Bxg5 fxg5 40.a7 Bd4 + 41 .Kg2 Bxa7 42.Rb7 + = Kg6 43.Rxa7] 39.Rb7 + Kh6 40.a7 g5- + 0-1

In this short game, Fritz opens the position while his king is still in the center. Fedorowicz wastes no time going for the jugular.

(67) Fedorowicz - Fritz [Fedorowicz] CBU221 PP#13, 1 993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5 . e3 [White plays to mainta in his central structure.] s .. . axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5 + 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.Bd2 Qb6 [This allows black to regain his pawn, but white obtains active piece play in return.] 9.Nge2 [9.Qb3!? e6 (Leads to good play for black) .] 9 ... Nxd5 1 0.0-0 Nc7?1 [1 o . . . Nxc3 1 1 .Nxc3 e6 1 2.a4 Be7 1 3.e4 o-o 1 4.Qh5t (White has some attacking chances against the black king).] 1 1 .Bc41? d5 12.Bb3! d4? [A clear strategic mistake, opening the board when h i s k ings ide i s undeveloped. Much better is 1 2 . . . e6 1 3.Nf4 Be7 1 4.Qh5 0-Q 1 5.Bc2-+ when white has kingside attacking chances as compensation for the black pawn center.] 13.exd4 cxd4 1 4.Na4 Qc6 [Threatening 1 5 . . . Qg2#.] 1 5.Nf4± [A useful multi-purpose move which: a) develops the knight; b) defends g2; c)

opens the e-file; and d) opens the d1 -h5 diagonal for the white queen.] 1 5 .. . Nd7 16.Rc1 Od6 17.Re1 e5 1 8.Bb41-+ [This deflection motif allows the white pieces to infiltrate with full force.] 1 8 ... Qxb4 1 9.Rxc7 Be7 20.Nd31 [This knight retreat hits the black queen on b4 and the val uable e5-pawn . ] 2 0 . . . Qb5 21.Rxd71 = [Eliminating the defender of the e5-pawn after which the black posit ion co l lapses . ] 2 1 . . . Qxd 7 22.Nxe5� Q d 6 23 . Bxf7 + Kf8 24.Nc51 +- [Threatens both 25. Ncd7 + and 25. N e6 + winn ing the black queen.) 24 .. . Bc8 [24 . . . Qxc5 25.Nd7 + Kxf7 26. N xc5 Bxc5 27 . Qb3 + + -1 25.Qf31 [Threatens 26.Qa8 as well as d iscovered c hecks with the Bf7.] 25 . . . Qxc5 26.Bh5 + I Bf6 [26 . . . Kg8 27.Qf7#) 27.Nd7 + I [A l ine-clearance theme (e-file) which leads to a back rank mate.) 27 .. . Bxd7 28.0xa8 + ace 29.Qxc8 + Bxcs 30.Re8# 1-0

Here, Fritz neglects his development, allowing Fedorowicz to trap his queen and uncork a sparkling queen sacrifice. Fritz struggles on, but John smothers him with a pair of passed pawns.

(68) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz] CBU221 PP#15, 1993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 s.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.a4 o-o s.d6?1 [Wh ite s h ou ld c o m p l ete h i s development before wasting more time on pawn moves.] s ... e6 9.Qf3 Ra7 1 0.e4 Bb7 1 1 .Be3 Ob6 1 2.Bg5? [Moving the bishop twice is a clear violation of a wel l -known opening principle. Clearly better is 1 2.b4!? Qxd6!? ( 1 2 . . . Rc8!?) 1 3. Bxc5 Qe5 1 4.Bxa7 (1 4.Rc1 Nxe4 1 5.Nxe4 Bxe4 1 6.0e3 Rc7oo) . . . Nxe4-+.] 1 2 . . . Nxe41+ [A thematic pin motif in this variation.] 13.Nxe4 f5 [Black regains his piece

68 Benko Gambit!

with a powerfu l center . ] 1 4. a 5 [Apparently trapping the black queen.] 14 . . . axb511 [By sacrificing my queen, I am able to capitalize on Fritz's lack of development.] 1 5 . a x b 6 R xa 1 + !! 1 6.Ke2 Nc61-+ [Threatens 1 7 . . . Nd4 + with a royal fork. ] 1 7 .Qe3 Nd4 + 18.Kd2 fxe4 [This opens the f-file so the Rf8 can part i cipate. ] 1 9 . Be2 c4 [Preparing 20 . . . Nb3 + .) 20.Bd1 Nf51- + [This wins the b-pawn after which the passed a- and b-pawns overrun the white position.] 21 .Qe2 Bxb2 22.Be7 c3 + [Forcing the white king to an unfavorable square.] 2 3 . K e 1 N d 4 [Forcing the queen from the protection of c 2 . ) 24. Bxf8 [24.Qg4 c2- + ) 24 . . . Kxf8 25.h3 Nxe2 26.Kxe2 b4 27.Bb3 Ra3 28.Bd1 Ba6 + 29.Ke1 c2 30.Ne2 Bc3 + 31 .Nxc3 c1Q 32.Ne2 0-1

Once again John creates a passed pawn and uses it to hammer Fritz into s u b m iss ion . A t i me ly exchange sacrifice brings Fritz to his knees. As usual, the computer is vulnerable to positions in which its opponent has positional compensation for material.

(69) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz) CBU221PP#23, 1993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 as 5.Nc3 axb5 6.e4 [ In this variation, white countersacrifices in the hopes of drumming up attacking possibilities.] 6 . . . b4 7 . N b5 [This variation was popularized by New Jersey NM William Bagley in the early 1 970's.] 7 . . . d6 [ 7 . . . Nxe4?? 8. Qe2 ! f5 9.f3 + - Nf6 1 0.Nd6#) 8.Bf4 [White develops his bishop and increases the pressure against the d6-pawn.] 8 . . . g5 [GM Pal Benko's counterattacking idea to deflect the bishop from the d6-square. Not 8 . . . Nxe4?? 9.Qe2.) 9. Be3 Bg7

10.f3 [White safeguards his e4-pawn.) 10 .. . g4 [Black must decide what to do with his exposed g5-pawn.) 1 1 .Bd3 Nbd7 12.Qe2?1 [This is an awkward placement of the white pieces along the a6-f1 diagonal. Better is 1 2.f4 Qa5! � when the Nb5 may easily become a l iabil ity for white as black already threatens . . . Nxe4.) 12 ... Ne5!l 13.Bc2 Qa5 1 4. f4 b3 + I [This d iscovered check exploits the loose pieces in the white camp.] 1 5 .Bd2 Qxa2! 1 [This pseudo-queen sacrifice is based on an unstoppable passed pawn.] 1 6.Rc1 [ 1 6. Rxa2 bxa2 1 7. Nc7 + ( 1 7 .Qd 1 a1 0- + 1 8. Nc7 + KfB 1 9 . fxe5 Nd7 20.Nxa8 Qxa8 21 .exd6 exd6l) . . . Kd8 1 8 . N xa 8 a 1 Q + 1 9 . Qd 1 Qxd 1 +

20. Kxd 1 Nc4 2 1 . Bc3 B b7 22 . Bd3 Nxb2 + 23. Bxb2 Bxa8+) 16 .. . bxc2 1 7.fxe5 Nd7 1 8.Nc7 + Kd8 19.Nxa8 Qxaa 20.exd6 exd6 21 .Qxg4 Bxb2 22.Rxc2 [ In return for the sacrificed exchange, I have opened diagonals for my bishop pair, secured the e5-square for my knight, and gained a passed c-pawn.] 22 . . . Ne5+ 2 3 . Bg 5 + [23.Qg5 + Kc7 24.Rxb2 Qa1 + 25.Bc1 : A) 25 . . . N d 3 + 26 . Kd2?? Qxc1 + 27.Kxd3 Ba6 + 28. Rb5 Bxb5 # ; B) 25 . . . Nd3 + 26.Kd1 Nxb2 + 27.Kc2 Nc4 28.Qe7 + Bd7-+; C) 25 . . . Nd3 + 26.Ke2 Nxc1 + 27.Kd1 Nd3 + ; D) 25 . . . Nd3 + 26.Kf1 Nxb2 27. Ne2 (27.Qe7 + Bd7 2 8 . N e2 N d 3 - + ) . . . N d 3-+; E) 25 . . . Nd3 + �] 23 .. . Kc7 24.Qd 1 Cas + 25.Kf1 Ba6 + 26. Ne2 Nd3-+ [The activity of the black pieces more than compensates for the exchange deficit.] 27.Rd2 c4 [Anchoring the knight on d3.) 28.Rc2 [Threatens 29.Qd3 thanks to the pin on the black c4-pawn. Not 28.Rxb2 Nxb2 29.Qd4 Nd3 30.Qxh8 Qe1 #.] 2 8 . . . Qc5 [Threatens 29 . . . Qf2#.) 29.Nf4 c31- + [The passed c-pawn advances and unleashes the

Benko Gambit! 69

power of the Ba6.] 30.Nxd3 Qd4 3 1 . K e 1 [3 1 . Ke2 Qxe4 + 32 . Be3 Qxg2 + 33.Bf2 ReB#] 31 . . . Bxd3 [After recovering the pinned knight, the white king is hopelessly exposed.) 32.Re2D [Trying to bolster the vital e4-pawn.] 32 .. . Re8 33.Be3 Qc41 [Threatens to blast through with the passed c-pawn ( . . . c3-c2-c1 ) .] 34.Rf1 c2 3S.Rxc2 Bxc2 36.Rxf7 + Kb8 37 .Qe2 Bc3 + 38.Kf2 Bd3 39.Ba7 + Ka8 40.Qe3 Qa2 + 4 1 . Kg 3 R g 8 + 42 .Kh4 Qxg2 [Hemming in the white king. There is no defense to a variety of threatened mates.] 0-1

Finally Fritz gets a piece of the action. John wastes a little time and leaves Fritz with a space advantage, eventually surrendering a second pawn and the game.

(70) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz] CBU221PP#2S, 1 993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.ds bS 4.cxbs as S.b6 aS 6.Qb3 [Fritz threatens 7.b7 while greedily trying to hold onto the gambit pawn.] 6 ... Ba6 7.Nd2 d6 8.e4 Bxf1 9.Kxf1 a4 1 0.0bS + Qd7 1 1 .0c4 Qb7 [Here I threaten to regain my pawn ( 12 . . . Qxb6) with the better position.] 1 2. b 3 [Fritz retu rns the pawn to continue his development.] 1 2 ... Qxb6 [ 12 . . . axb3 1 3.Qxb3 Ra6 14.Rb1 Nbd7 1 5.Nc4 Nxe4co) 1 3.Bb2 Nbd7 1 4.141? [Creating the possibil ity of e4-e5, d is rupt ing black's d evelopment . ] 14 . . . Qa6 [Offering the exchange of queens to take the punch out of the white central advance.) 1 S .Qxa6 [ 1 5. e5? NxdS!+) 1S . • . Rxa6 1 6.Re1 axb3 [ 1 6 . . . e6!? 1 7.dxe6 fxe6 1 8.e5 dxes 1 9.fxe5 NdS+t) 1 7.axb3 Ra2?1 [After white's strong reply, I merely lose time.] 1 8. R a 1 ? 1 [1 8.Nc4!?] 1 8 . . . Rxa 1 + ? [After th i s passive

exchange, white has a clear space advantage. Necessary is 1 8 . . . Rxb2! 1 9.Ra8 + NbB 20.Rxb8 + Kd7 2 1 .Ngf3 g6+% 22.Ke2 Nxe4! (22 . . . Bg7 23.Rxh8 Bxh8 24.Kd3i) 23.Ra1 Nc3 + 24.Kd3 Ra2!+.) 1 9. Bxa 1 :t N b 6 20 . Kf2 g 6 21 .Bxf6 exf6 22.Nc41 [This leaves black with the inferior minor piece and s l i ght ly worse pawn s t ruct u re . ] 22 . . . Nxc4 23.bxc4 Bg7 24.Nf3 0-0 2S.g3 [Seems a bit slow. Maybe 25.Rb1 !?.] 2S . . . R b8 2 6. R e 1 R b 4 27.Nd2 fS?I [A bit too optimistic. If black plays solidly, white has only a small edge.] 28.exfS± Bc3 29.Re8 + Kg7 30.Ne41 Bd4 + 3 1 .Kf3 Rxc4 32.fxg6 hxg6 33.Re71 +- [Highlighting the wea k n ess of t h e f7 -paw n . ) 33 . . . Kf8? [ 3 3 . . . R c 1 34 . Nxd6 c 4 35.Rxf7 + KgB 36.Rc7 c3 37.Kg4 c2 38.Kg5 Be3 39.Kxg6 Kf8 40.Rf7 + Kg8 t:. 41 .Re7 + - Kf8 42.Re8#] 34.Rxf7 + Kxf7 3S.Nxd6 + Kf6 36.Nxc4 [White has a c lea rly winn ing two-pawn advantage with no counterplay for black.] 1-0

B ut J o h n fo l lows u p wi th an improvement in the same line and pun ishes F r itz once more for a premature a2-a4 with white . This see-sawing back and forth between ideas is the proper use of a computer as a training partner. If a grandmaster gave up on an opening or an idea every t i m e h e l ost a game , h e wou ld eventually run out of ideas.

(71) Fritz - Fedorowicz [Fedorowicz] CBU221 PP#26, 1 993

1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 cs 3.dS bS 4.cxbS a6 S.b6 as 6.Qb3 Bas 7.Nd2 a41+t [An improvement over my first game with Fritz in this variation. The text deflects the white queen from the protection of the d5-pawn.] 8.b7 [8.Qf3 Qxb6 9.e4

70 Benko Gambit!

Bxf1 1 O. Kxf1 d6; ; 8.Qxa4 Nxd5:f) 8 . . . R87 9.0x84?1 (9.Qf3 (Attempting to hold onto the white center makes more sense, although black already has active piece play) .) 9 . . . Nxd5 1 0.e4 Nb41 (Hoping to take advantage of whi te 's weak d3-sq uare . A lso interesting is 10 . . . Bxf1 !? 1 1 .Qxa7 Bxg2 1 2 .exd5 Bxh 1 1 3.f3 e6oo.) 1 1 .Bx86 Rx86 12.Qb3 Rb6 1 3.f4 Rxb7 1 4.Ngf3 [1 4.a3 Ra7! :f (14 . . . Qa5? 1 5.Rb1 ! + -)) 14 .. . e6 1 5.e5 Be7 16.0-0 0-0 17.Nc4 N8c6 18.Rd 1 QaSI:f [Activating the queen on both the a-file and the a8-h1 diagonal while also defending the Rb7. ) 19.84 [This premature advance of the passed a-pawn is typical of Fritz's play. The drawback is he gives up too many squares to the black pieces.) 1 9 . . . Nd5 20.Qd3 Rfb8t 21 .85 Rb3 22.Qc2?1 [22.Qe2 Qa6 ! t) 22 . . . 08 6 23 .Bd2 Rxf31+ (Th is exchange sacrifice shatterooks the white pawn structure,

exposes the white king, and secures the d4-outpost for a powerful black knight.) 24.gxf3 Nd4 25.Qa4 (25.Qd3 Rb3 26.Bc3 Nxc3 27.bxc3 Rxc3!- + 28.Qxc3 Ne2 + ] 25 ... Nxf3 + 26.Kh1 Nxd2 27.Nxd2 (27.Rxd2 Rb4 28.Qxd7 Qxc4 29.a6 Qe4 + 30.Rg2 (30.Kg1 Nxf4 31 .a7 N h3 + 32.Kf1 Qf3 + 33 .Ke1 R e4 + - + ) . . . Nxf4 3 1 . R a g 1 Nxg2 32.Rxg2 Rxb2- + ) 27 . . . Rb4 28.083 [28.Qxd7 QaB 29.Nf3 Ne3 30.Rf1 Nxf1 31 .Rxf1 Bf8 32.Kg1 Rxf4 33.Kg2 Qxa5 34.Ng5 Qaa + - + ) 28 . . . Rxf4 29.Qg3 Bh41 [Forcing the queen to a more passive square.) 30. Q h 3 N e 3 1 - + [Clearing the a8-h1 diagonal . ) 31 .Nf3 [31 .Qxe3 QaB + 32.Kg1 Rg4 + 33.Kf1 Qg2#) 31 ... Qa8 32.Rf1 g51 [The pin on the a8-f3 d iagonal ties down all the white pieces.) 33.86 g4 34.Qxh4 Rxf3 [34 . . . Rxf3 35.Qg5 + KhB 36.Kg1 Rxf1 + 37.Rxf1 Qg2 + ] 0-1

Benko Gambit! 71

Benko Gambit Strategies: A Thematic Index

The Benko Gambit remains one of the black's most active responses to 1 .d4. At the cost of a pawn, black is able to obtain and sustain the initiative, with a solid pawn structure and active piece play throughout the opening and often well into the middlegame and even sometimes into the endgame!

In this section, you can read about several of the themes and strategies that occur throughout the Benko Gambit. In each section below, you will find a discussion of key ideas as well as references to the critical Power Play! posit ions that actual ly use these themes and strategies.

Black's usual strategy in the Benko Gambit

As with all gambits, black gives up material, in this case the queenside b-pawn, to obtain greater activity and good squares for all of his pieces. The dark-squared bishop usually goes to g7 where it occupies the strong a1 -h8 diagonal; the BcB usually develops to a6 where it cuts through the heart of the white camp to exercise considerable i nfl uence over wh i te 's effo rts to develop; black usually castles on the kingside, and then transfers the RfB to the open files on the queenside, usually to b8 though sometimes to a8 after . . . Ra8-a6 or . . . Ra8-a7. Black generally p laces rooks o n a8 a nd b8, o r occasionally doubles the rooks on the a- or b-files.

Often, black has to make difficult d ec i s ions w i th regard to t h e development of the queen (to aS, b6, c7, b8 or even a8) and must be on the

lookout for opportunities to strengthen the position of his knights. The Nf6 often relocates to e5 via g4 or d7. The Nb8 occasionally develops via a6 to b4 and d3. Frequently, black develops the Nb8 to d7 where it can move to or support activities on e5. Alternatively, the black Nd7 can move to b6 from where it applies additional pressure to the white d-pawn, especially in lines where white has not played the e-pawn to e4. In addition, the Nb6 also supports the advance of the black c-pawn to c4.

One of the key pawn maneuvers for black is . . . c5-c4, especially when white can't occupy the d4-square with a knight or respond b3-b4. Note that a white knight on d4 can wreak havoc in black's position by moving to c6 to attack key queenside squares as well as the e7 -pawn. Black uses the c4-pawn to support Nd3, often establ ish ing a powerful bind over white's options and also, in conjunction with the Bg7 and RbB, putting considerable pressure upon the white b2-pawn.

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for newcomers to the Benko Gambit is to be extremely patient recovering the pawn. Retrieving the pawn at too great a price (at the cost of the Bg7, for example) often leads to a quick strategic or tactical defeat for black. More patient play, quietly and consistently improving the position of all of black's forces, will usually recover the mate rial (eventual ly) without compromising black's hard-earned positional superiority.

72 Benko Gambit!

White strategy in the Benko Gambit Black will redeploy the Nf6 to e5

White's attacking chances are strictly limited in the Benko Gambit, through careless play by black will permit white to speed up several of these themes and ideas. White often achieves a pawn structure with pawns on d5 and e4. If white succeeds in advancing the e-pawn to e5, he usual ly d isrupts black's solid pawn structure.

White's earliest critical decision often involves the placement of the Bf1 and the advance of the e-pawn. In many lines, white prepares and plays e4 as a single move, often permitting . . . Bxf1 . Alternatively, white can prepare e4 with ideas such as an early e3, Nf3-d2, Nc3 (The Zaitsev variation), or even f3. All of these variations are examined in our critical Power Play! positions.

In some positions, white strikes boldly in the center to support e4-e5 with f4!? In most of these lines, f4 is premature and leaves the white king horribly exposed to black's initiative.

Another aggressive Idea for white is Nh3-f4 and h2-h4-h5. The advance of the h-pawn secures the knight. I n Position 27, white carries out this plan without 0-0 to add the power of the Rh1 to the attack on the black kingside.

Black flanchettos the Bf8-g7

In most, though not all of these Power Play! positions, black develops the BfB to g7 from where it can dominate the long diagonal. In many of these lines, the bishop exercises considerable influence over key squares like b2, c3, d4, and e5.

Black will often seek to increase the influence of the Nf6 by redeploying it to e5. Black can move the knight there in one of two ways, via d7 and often via ... Nf6-g4-e5. White often attempts to control the g4-square, either with h3 or somewhat less often with Bf1 -h3, to prevent .. Ng4-e5.

When black Is able to redeploy the knight to e5, black can often execute the powerful maneuver . . . c5-c4 and . . . Ne5-d3, establishing a powerful bind over white ' s posit ion , u s ua l ly in conjunction with the Bg7.

Alternatively, black will redeploy the Nf6 to d7 or to eB (and c7)

Especially in those lines in which white has control over g4, black can redeploy the Nf6 to d7 or sometimes even to c7 via ea. These maneuvers are often seen in the games associated with positions 6, 1 0 and 1 1 .

Black plays ... e7-e6

The . . . e6 maneuver against the Benoni pawn structure is perhaps best known in the Blumenfeld Counter Gambit. In the trad itional l ines of the Benko Gambit, black resorts to this maneuver to "loosen up" the center and to achieve more play for his pieces, especially when black finds it difficult to achieve counterplay in the Benko Gambit in more usual ways.

In modern play, however, the . . . e6 "break" is becoming an increasingly common maneuver. The resulting positions are remarkably un-Benko-like in that this quiet posit ional gambit suddenly takes on a tactical flavor.

Black often plays . . . e6 in conjunction with a bishop on b7 and a Nf6. The

Benko Gambit! 73

e6-pawn and the Bb7 strike at the white center, often with the idea of . . . exd5 and . . . Nf6xd5. In some lines, this capture opens the e-file to develop Rea with check. White is often reluctant to meet . . . e6 with d5xe6 because, after . . . fxe6, black can take full command of the center with . . . d5 and overt he open f-file.

See the following Power Play! positions for examples of . . . e6 by black:

CBU22 1 pp#1 5

CBU221 pp#16

CBU221 pp#1 8

CBU221 pp#20

Note that in some positions, black achieves rather remarkable tactical chances by p laying . . . Bc8-b7 in conjunction with . . . e6. The combination of these moves is particularly effective when black can successfully respond to dxe6 with . . . Bxg2.

It should be noted that . . . e6 by black is most likely to succeed when white has proceeded cautiously, with moves like Nge2.

CBU221 pp#7

CBU221 pp#B

CBU221 pp#9

CBU221 pp#1 0

CBU221 pp#1 1

In most of these lines, white has no choice but to play Kxf1 and then seek sanctuary by walking the king to g2 or to h2. In one line, white recaptures with the rook:

CBU221 pp#27

and in another position, white develops so as to be able to recapture on f1 with a knight from d2:

CBU221 pp# 1 2

Black plays ... t7-f5

Black occasionally plays .. .f7 -f5 in the middlegame to loosen up white's central pawn structure, though the subsequent weaknesses around the b lack k ings ide usual ly l i m it th is maneuver to rather clearly defined tactical circumstances.

When white permits it, black will White plays a4 and RaJ play ... Ba6xBO

One of black's inherent advantages in the Benko Gambit is the strength of the bishop on a6. To dull the effect of the bishop, you will see many positions in which white moves to l essen the influence of the Ba6, especially those lines involving an early 5.e3 by white.

In the lines in which black successfully deploys the bishop on a6, black will almost always play ... Bxf1 when this move is possible. This maneuver is most common when white has played e4 in one move, suddenly exposing the Bf1 to an attack from the Ba6.

See the following critical positions:

White frequently defends the queenside by leaving the pawn on b5 (after cxb5) and playing a4 and Ra3. Note that the b5-pawn can be a real thorn in black's side because it severely l imits the development options open to the NbS.

The Ra3 maneuver removes the Ra1 from the long diagonal of the black Bg7 and further secures the Nc3. In this structure, the Nc3 overprotects b5 and d5 while the white b2-pawn defends both the N c 3 a nd the Ra3 . The placement of the Ra3 enables white to meet . . . axb5 with axb5 because the b2-pawn defends the Ra3.

74 Benko Gambit!

Often, however, white recaptures on b5 with the Nc3 in this structure with the idea Ng1 -e2-c3. If white succeeds in placing knights on b5 and c3, it will be very hard indeed for black to make meaningful progress. By contrast, black frequently plays . . . axb5 only after white has developed the Bf1 to entice a tempo loss with Bxb5.

Chess Informant Symbol Guide

t (f) White (Black) has a small edge

± (+) W h ite (B lack) has a c lear advantage

+ - (- + ) White (Black) is winning

= with equality

t with the initiative

-+ with an attack

� with counterplay

"' diagonal

EB center

4:> file

1 endgame

X weak point

o better is

0 more space

b.. with the idea

« queenside

:. kingside

oo unclear

m with compensation

# mate

111 two bishops

111 bishops of opposite color

• bishops of the same color

D forced move

Benko Gambit! 75

Index of Middlegame Patterns

White Nf3 PP#5-6, PP# 1 0-1 2, PP#28-30, 9-1 4, 1 9-24, 31 -33, 35, 43, 47-48, 51 -59, 62, 66

White Nh3 PP#2, PP#4, 1 -4, 6-8, 29, 39, 63-64

White Ne2 1 7-1 8, 27-28, 30, 36, 38, 42, 61 , 67

White Nd2 PP#1 2, 23-24, 55, 57-58, 70-71

White Nc3 PP#4-16, PP#23-27, 4, 8-54, 59-60, 62, 64-69

White Bg2 PP# 1 -2, PP#6, 1 -6, 1 1 -1 2, 55, 63

White Bh3 PP#5, 9-1 0

White Bb2 1 -2, 5-6, 35, 61 , 63

White plays Pe2-e3 PP#1 3-1 8, 3, 25-35, 63, 67-68

White Pf3 PP# 1 9-21 , 37-42, 69

White Pf4 PP#7, PP#27, 3, 1 3- 14, 53-54, 56, 62

White Pg4 PP#8, 1 5-1 6, 65

White Ph4 7-8, 64

White o-o PP#6, 1 -4, 6-12, 23-24, 27-34, 37-38, 42-43, 47-52, 55-61 , 63-64, 67, 71

White plays Nh3-f4 PP#4, 1 -2, 4, 6-8, 29, 39, 63-64

White plays Nc3-b5 PP#23-25, 9, 27, 29, 3 1 , 36, 39, 43, 45-51

' 56, 69

White plays Bb5(xb5-pawn)

White Pa4 PP# 1 3-1 4, 25-28, 30-31 , 34-38, 40, PP# 1 5, PP#1 6, 23, 29-32, 37, 49, 42-43, 47, 49, 52, 67 51 -52, 55, 61 -62, 68

76 Benko Gambit!

Black . . . Bxas Black plays . . . Ob8 PP#1 , PP#4-6, PP#12, PP#27, 1 -2, 40-41 , 43 7-1 2, 24, 63-64

Black • . • Bxf1 (xB) pp # 7-1 1

' 1 3-23, 53-54, 65-66

Black . . . Nxas PP#2, 3-6, 33

Black . . . Nbd7 PP#6, 1 -2, 7-9, 1 1 , 1 5- 16, 1 9, 32, 46-49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60-61 , 63, 66-67, 69

Black then plays • . . NbS 1 0, 1 2-1 3, 20, 22-23, 31 , 37-38, 51 , 55, 64-65

Black plays . . . Ne5 2, 7-8, 1 5-1 6, 1 9, 21 -22, 30, 47-48, 51 , 54, 57, 60-61 , 64, 69

Black plays • . . Nb4 3, 5, 1 0, 1 4, 2 1 , 29-30, 34, 40, 71

Black plays .. . Qa5 PP# 1 3-1 4, 5, 7, 1 1 -1 2, 1 5, 22-23, 25-28, 33-36, 41 -45, 64-67, 69

Black plays . . . Bb7 PP#1 3-1 4, PP# 1 7, PP#28, 1 -4, 5-6, 1 0, 25-30, 32-37, 39, 50, 55-56, 58-59, 62, 67-68

Black plays . . . Pes PP#1 8, PP#20, 6, 1 7, 23, 25-28, 32, 34-35, 40, 44, 51

' 58-59, 62, 68

Black then plays . . . PeSxPd5 5, 1 3, 29-30, 33, 36-37, 39, 41

' 61

Black plays . . • Pa6xPb5 PP#1 3-1 4, PP#21 , PP#23-25, 25-3 1 , 34-50, 67-69

Black plays . . . Pb5-b4 PP#23-25, PP#29, 41 , 44-50, 55-58, 61 , 69

Black plays . . . Pb5xPc4 PP#30, 59-60, 62

Black plays . . . Pc4 2, 3, 1 2, 1 4, 1 9, 26, 28, 40, 54, 66, 68

Black plays . . . Qb6 Black plays . . . RfbB 2-4, 7, 1 4, 1 7-1 9, 21 , 24-28, 33-34, 36, 2, 7, 9, 1 1 -1 5, 1 9, 22-24, 52, 63, 65-66, 39, 41 -42, 52-54, 59, 63, 67-68, 70 71

Black plays . . . Oc7 9, 28, 43

Black plays • • . aae 1 , 1 3, 20, 31 , 37, 58, 66, 69, 71

Black plays . . . Ra7 1 , 4, 1 1 , 1 9-20, 23, 3 1 , 43, 46, 63, 66, 68, 71

The Benko Gambit is one of black's soundest. most effective responses to I . d4. Its ideas and goals are easy to grasp and hard to

forget. and one of its chief advantages is the fact that black's position generally improves with the exchange of pieces, generally the bane of other gambit's existences. This one is definitely worth adding to your repertoire.

Power Play! is a complete training system designed to help you understand an opening. Instead of leaving the reader floundering through endless l ines of analysis trying to figure out what's i mportant and remember it later, Power Play! identifies the critical positions and helps you understand them the old­fashioned way, 'one position at a time.'

Study the 60 key games in this book and learn the 30 carefully selected Power Play! positions and you' l l find yourself an instant expert in this strategically sound and dynamic response to I . d4.

A regular columnist for the APCT News B1,1lletin, Jon Edwards is one of the top postal players in the United States and a competitor in the current U.S. Correspondence Chess Championships For years Jon made the Benko Gambit the backbone of his postal repertoire, proving this is one gambit that can stand up to the most rigorous scrutiny.

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The Sicilian ! ( Power Pla !l ! ) by Senior Postal Master Jon Edwards with contributions by IGM Ron Henley

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T H E C H E S S BAS E U N I V E RS I TY P OWER P LAY ! S E R I E S . ( C B U 2 2 1 P P )

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