Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. An attempt to deviate from theory
1. d4After 1. d4We play ♞g8-f6, developing the kingside knight
1... Nf62. c4After 2. c4We undermine the center — ♟c7-c5, putting pressure on ♟d4. If White is interested in fighting for an advantage, they will have to play ♟d4-d5, advancing the pawn and seizing territorial superiority.
2... c53. d5After 3. d5By provoking the pawn advance, we sacrifice a pawn — ♟b7–b5 with the idea of undermining the support of ♟d5. After this, we reach the starting position of the Volga Gambit, or Benko Gambit.
3... b5
After 4. cxb5Black to move. At the board4. cxb5After 4. cxb5The magic of the Benko Gambit doesn’t end here! We play ♟a7-a6, offering White another pawn with the idea of further developing the ♝ with tempo to a6, regaining one of the sacrificed pawns!
4... a65. bxa6After 5. bxa6If White is aiming for an opening advantage, they should accept the gambit by capturing the second pawn. We will always have time to recapture the pawn ♟a6, so for now we focus on developing the kingside by advancing ♟g7-g6.
5... g66. e3After 6. e3If White is not aiming for an advantage and prefers simple development, then the move ♟e2-e3 is quite understandable. Our plan does not change: we develop the kingside, add ♛d8-a5, and challenge White with our activity! We play ♝f8-g7!
6... Bg77. Nc3After 7. Nc3Let's pin the ♞c3 by moving the ♛d8 to a5, with a clear hint at increasing the pressure through ♞f6-e4!
7... Qa5After 8. Bd2Black to move. At the board8. Bd2After 8. Bd2Since there are no dangerous discovered attacks from ♞c3, we castle, chess enthusiasts!
8... O-O9. Nf3After 9. Nf3We play ♝c8xa6, offering White to trade bishops, after which we play ♛a5xa6, preventing White from castling. A small trick!
9... Bxa610. Bxa6After 10. Bxa6We capture back with the queen — ♛a5xa6!
10... Qxa611. Qe2After 11. Qe2Exchanging ♛a6xe2 is not very advantageous, as we allow the white ♚ to approach the center in the endgame, where it will have little to worry about. We play ♟d7-d6, opening a development path for ♞b8.
11... d6After 12. Qxa6Black to move. At the board12. Qxa6After 12. Qxa6We recapture with the knight — ♞b8xa6, clearly aiming for ♞a6-b4 to put pressure on ♟d5
12... Nxa613. O-OAfter 13. O-OWe bring the last piece into the game — ♜f8-b8!
13... Rfb814. Rab1After 14. Rab1Black’s position is excellent! Let’s add fuel to the fire — ♞a6-b4 with a fork on ♟a2 and ♟d5
14... Nb415. a3After 15. a3We recapture the pawn ♞b4xd5!
15... Nbxd516. Nxd5After 16. Nxd5We capture in return ♞f6xd5!
16... Nxd517. e4After 17. e4Where is the best retreat? ♞d5-f6 or ♞d5-b6? It is best to temporarily block the "b" file for ♜b8 by playing ♞d5-b6, aiming for ♞b6-c4/a4 with a triple attack on ♟b2!
After 17... Nb6White to move. At the board17... Nb6After 17... Nb6Black's position is strategically winning! The white pawns on the queenside are falling one after another!
2. Demonstration of Key Ideas
1. d4After 1. d4We play ♞g8-f6, developing the kingside knight
1... Nf62. c4After 2. c4We undermine the center — ♟c7-c5, putting pressure on ♟d4. If White is interested in fighting for an advantage, they will have to play ♟d4-d5, advancing the pawn and gaining a territorial advantage.
2... c53. d5After 3. d5Provoking the pawn advance, we sacrifice a pawn — ♟b7–b5 with the idea of undermining the support beneath ♟d5. After that, the starting position of the Volga Gambit, or Benko Gambit, arises.
3... b5After 4. cxb5Black to move. At the board4. cxb5After 4. cxb5The wonders of the Benko Gambit don't end here! We play ♟a7–a6, offering White to capture another pawn with the idea of further developing the ♝ with tempo to a6, recapturing one of the sacrificed pawns!
4... a65. Nc3After 5. Nc3If White is not determined to act, they can support the ♟b5. In response, we exchange with ♟a6xb5, forcing the ♞c3 to occupy an awkward square, temporarily separating it from the ♟d5.
5... axb56. Nxb5After 6. Nxb5We gain a tempo by announcing a fork with ♛d8-a5, forcing the ♞b5 to return to its original square.
6... Qa5+7. Nc3After 7. Nc3It is important to constantly remind ourselves: we have played a gambit, having managed to give up a pawn for the initiative. We must play firmly and aggressively, putting problems before our opponent! We play ♞f6-e4, increasing the pressure on ♞c3
7... Ne4After 8. Bd2Black to move. At the board8. Bd2After 8. Bd2In case of an interposition, we are happy to exchange — ♞e4xd2, gaining the advantage of the two bishops. It is important, by the way, to understand that once ♝d2 leaves the board, White will have no worthy opponent for our ♝f8.
8... Nxd29. Qxd2After 9. Qxd2The potential of our position is very promising. The ♝f8 alone, having come out onto the long diagonal, already compensates for the lack of an entire pawn. We play ♟g7-g6, focusing on development.
9... g610. e4After 10. e4Develop the bishop — ♝f8-g7, getting closer to castling
10... Bg711. Nf3After 11. Nf3We castle, dear chess enthusiasts!
11... O-OAfter 12. Bd3Black to move. At the board12. Bd3After 12. Bd3We play ♟d7-d6, creating a solid pawn chain and freeing the d7 square for the ♞b8, which can later jump to either flank.
12... d613. O-OAfter 13. O-OWe develop with ♞b8-d7, postponing the decision about the fate of ♝c8 for one more move.
13... Nd714. Rfe1After 14. Rfe1The point is that the position is semi-closed, and it's difficult to use the ♝c8 to open up the game, so we play ♝c8 - a6, offering to exchange our passive bishop for White’s more active one.
14... Ba615. Bxa6After 15. Bxa6We capture the bishop in return — ♜a8xa6. For the pawn we sacrificed, we get: 1) a powerful ♝g7, tearing up the board along the diagonal; b) an excellent pawn structure without any weaknesses + prospects for play on the queenside: ♜f8-b8, ♟c5-c4 + ♞d7-c5-d3 with pressure on ♟b2.
After 15... Rxa6White to move. At the board15... Rxa6After 15... Rxa6Black's position is very promising. The key is to play dynamically, looking for ways to pose problems for White on the queenside.
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.