Benko Gambit: Fianchetto Variation
ECO A58 ยท Benko Gambit
The Benko Gambit: Fianchetto Variation (A58) is a chess opening in the Benko Gambit family, played by White. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3.
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3
About this opening
The Fianchetto Variation is the reference positional approach against the Benko Gambit: having accepted the pawn, White plays g3 and Bg2 to neutralize Black's a6 bishop on the long diagonal and solidly defend the queenside. Rather than returning the pawn, White aims to smother the typical Benko pressure along the a- and b-files. It is one of the most reliable weapons against this gambit.