1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Benko Gambit Accepted
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6ECO A57–A59
Black sacrifices a wing pawn for long-term, risk-free pressure: the half-open a- and b-files hand the rooks and the fianchettoed bishop lasting activity against White's queenside. Famous as a positional gambit where the compensation persists even into the endgame.
Key ideas
- After …a6 and …Bxa6 Black's rooks and light bishop pour down the a- and b-files.
- The pressure is durable — Black is often happy to reach an endgame a pawn down because the activity remains.
- White tries to consolidate the extra pawn and blunt the files; Black rarely needs to rush.
Who it suits
Positional players who like a sound, low-risk gambit with pressure that lasts the whole game.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Benko Gambit Accepted move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer