Benko Gambit accepted: 7.e4 Bxf1 main line is variation 4 of 6 in the Benoni and Benko Gambit course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO A59). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 …. The main line of the Benko. White takes the pawn and plays e4; Black exchanges the light-squared bishops so White's king is stuck on g2 behind g3, then lines up ...Qa5, ...Rfb8 and ...Ra7 on the queenside files. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre.
1... Nf6 – Stops e4.
2. c4 – Gains space.
2... c5 – Hits d4 and invites d5.
3. d5 – White grabs space.
3... b5 – The Benko Gambit: Black offers a pawn to open the a- and b-files.
4. cxb5 – White accepts the pawn.
4... a6 – Offers a second pawn to open the a-file and win time.
5. bxa6 – Takes the second pawn; most club players accept.
5... Bxa6 – Recaptures with the bishop, ready to trade White's f1 bishop.
6. Nc3 – Develops and covers b5 and e4.
6... d6 – Supports c5, controls e5 and frees d7 for the b8 knight.
7. e4 – White builds the centre and offers the bishop trade.
7... Bxf1 – Trades bishops so White's king must recapture and lose the right to castle.
8. Kxf1 – The only recapture: White's king will walk to g2 after g3.
8... g6 – Prepares ...Bg7 on the long diagonal, the Benko's key bishop.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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