Understanding before Moving 83: Basics of the Benko Gambit (2)

by ChessBase
6/12/2022 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the 83rd instalment of his ChessBase show "Understanding before Moving", Herman continues to explain why playing the Benko Gambit might be a good choice for club players. | Photo: Pascal Simon

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As highlighted in the first part of this mini-series on the Benko gambit, studying this opening can be useful for club players to improve their game in general. After all, in the Benko, the most important aspects of chess, strategy, tactics and the endgame, often come into play.

By studying games of the great masters, we  can see how top players bring their pieces to beautiful squares to increase the pressure on their opponent's position. Moreover, you can also learn how to evaluate positions correctly.

In the diagram position that arose in a blitz game between Etienne Bacrot and Magnus Carlsen from 2006, Black has regained the gambit pawn and is now slightly better. But why - and how should he proceed?

 

 

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