The Benko Gambit for Black

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5

The Benko Gambit is a weapon for everyone who does not want to defend passively against d4 and c4 but to take the initiative at once. After d5 you sacrifice a pawn with b5 and a6. In return the a- and b-files open, where your rooks and queen put long-term pressure on a2 and b2, while your bishop on g7 rules the long diagonal. Often you trade White's bishop with Bxf1, so that the white king can no longer castle. This course is for club players who want a clear concept with recurring plans. White has four main roads: he takes everything with bxa6 – then, like most masters, you play g6 and win the pawn back later with Bxa6 –, gives the pawn back with b6, plays the Modern Variation with e3, or the Zaitsev System with Nc3 and e4 – where a sharp point with g5 awaits him. Then there are f3 and the declines Nf3, Nd2 and a4; against the last two you simply take the pawn with bxc4. Stockfish usually sees White only slightly ahead – for one pawn you get lasting play.

The half-open a- and b-files are your capital: rooks on a8 and b8 (often with Rfb8), the queen on a5 or b6 – together they press on a2 and b2.
The bishop on g7 is your most important piece. It aims down the long diagonal at c3 and b2; a trade like Bxc3 only pays off if you win material back with it.
With Ba6 and Bxf1 you trade White's bishop; after Kxf1 White has to bring his king to safety laboriously with g3 and Kg2.
Your knights look for the squares e5, c4 and b6: Nbd7, then Ng4 and Nge5 or Nb6 – from there they disturb White's setup on the queenside.
Against White's centre on d5 the levers e6 and, if White hesitates, c4 help – that way you open further lines for your pieces.