The Benko Gambit
3...b5 gives up a pawn for a positional grip that never goes away: two open files, a monster g7-bishop, and endless queenside pressure. One of the best practical weapons against 1.d4.
Step through the main line
The lines
The Fully Accepted
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Nbd7
The King Walk (Bxf1)
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. g3 Bg7 10. Kg2 O-O
The Declined 4.Nf3
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nf3 bxc4 5. Nc3 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Bxc4 Bg7 8. O-O O-O
The Declined 4.Nd2
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nd2 bxc4 5. Nxc4 g6 6. e4 d6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O
How this guide is made: the lines and explanations come from the authored Strong Squares repertoire curriculum. Automated checks verify legal move sequences and required teaching fields. Independent chess-editor approval remains a private-preview release gate. Read the teaching method.