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Benko Gambit Chess Video

The Benko Gambit is among the most well-respected gambits in chess. It's one of the main lines derived from the well known Benoni Defense. The Benoni Defense gives up pawns as sacrifice on b5 to gain complete control of the queen's side. The instructor will discuss in this video how the Benko Gambit can be played.

The play starts with the pawn to d4, black responds with Nf6, followed by white pawn to c4, then black pawn to c5 and white pawn developed further to d5. White can choose to be either accept the gambit or decline this gambit with Nf3. Even though some players choose to disregard the gambit if they are not familiar, you will almost always find white accepting with cxb5.

Black's overall objective is to sacrifice a pawn quickly in the game to get a big plus on the queen side. The black will keep on trying to give white another pawn with a6. Some players aren't bothered by the prospect of giving up a pawn as black due to the great attacking lines that are produced from the queen side attack in the Benko Gambit.

If you are playing as white in this gambit and if you want to avoid getting into the main line, defending your queen side all game is common practice to give the pawn significant advantage and concentrate on creating your central control.

This opening gambit is very aggressive, so it must be played accordingly. Check the explanation in the video below, and then use it against your next opponent.