Benoni/Benko Gambit

The Modern Benoni is a fighting and doubleedged opening, in which Black deliberately takes risks in order to achieve active play. The move order 2...c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5, which characterises the Modern Benoni, creates for White a dangerous pawn majority in the centre; his simple and effective plan is, after due preparation by f4, the pawn thrust e4-e5. It is however not easy to seize the best moment for this pawn advance. There are systems in which White gets in the move e5 at a very early stage, and there are others in which he holds back his main trump for a long time. But Black has of course got something in return: the pawn majority on the queenside which he can mobilise by means of ...a6 and ...b5, the semiopen e-file where he can exert pressure against the e4-pawn, the Bg7 which can become very strong on the h8-a1 diagonal and the outpost on e5 which is an ideal square for the knight.

In the Benko Gambit, named after the Hungarian-American grandmaster Pal Benko, Black offers his b-pawn as early as on move three. If White accepts the sacrifice with 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 then Black will for a long time exert unpleasant pressure on the queenside via the semi-open a- and b-files.

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5.Nge2 against the King's Indian Defence
The Hungarian variation provides white an attacking plan against the KID. With 5.Nge2 White will play 6.Ng3, close the centre with d5 after …c5/…e5 and start playing on the kingside for an attack.

by Nico Zwirs

€9.90

The Saemisch Variation against the King's Indian and Benoni
Beat the King’s Indian and Benoni structures with the impenetrable pawn phalanx g2-f3-e4-d5. Encounter your opponent with sound and fresh ideas in this classical rebooted line of the Saemisch!

by Jan Werle

€29.90

The Benoni is back in business
On top level it’s a rarer guest but with this DVD Rustam Kasimdzhanov will turn the tables. New ways and approaches in most lines and countless improvements of official theory will show you how to play this opening at any level with success.

by Rustam Kasimdzhanov

€29.90

The Benko Gambit Explained
In this DVD, Erwin l’Ami guides you through the fascinating Benko Gambit. As early as move three Black starts a fight for the initiative, a strategy that has proved to be successful in countless amateur and master level games.

by Erwin l'Ami

€29.90

Meeting the Gambits Vol.2 - Gambits after 1.d4
When facing gambits the most important thing is not to panic, a feeling usually induced by lack of knowledge. Keep calm, learn the antidotes and face the aggression with renewed confidence.

by Andrew Martin

€29.90

The Blumenfeld Gambit - A sharp weapon in the Benoni
It was back in the 1920s that the Russian master Benjamin Blumenfeld invented his famous gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5!?, and to the present day the opening retains great popularity. Black plays for the initiative and the win from the word go.

by Andrew Martin

€29.90

Tactic Toolbox Benoni
On this DVD, Mihail Marin presents the major tactical themes and options available for both sides in the Benoni. Based on an interactive format the well-known theoretician and Grandmaster invites you to take part and challenge yourself.

by Mihail Marin

€29.90

An ambitious setup against the Benoni
The topic of this 60 minute video clip is the major idea of the 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 line. It has not won much love among defenders of the Benoni - White players are coming dangerously close to realising the dream of squeezing the opponent.

by Lubomir Ftacnik

€9.90

Attacking with the Benko Gambit - Part 2
GM Ramirez completes his repertoire suggestion versus 1.d4 with powerful systems among others against the ColleSystem, Trompowsky or the declining move 3.Nf3. An absolute asset - not only for friends of the Benko Gambit!

by Alejandro Ramirez

€27.90

Attacking with the Benko Gambit - Part 1
Don’t give 1.d4 players an easy ride - sacrifice a pawn with 3.b5 for a lasting initiative. GM Ramirez shows you clear ideas for play in every variation.

by Alejandro Ramirez

€27.90