Benko’s Gambit

The Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5) is one of my favorite answers to 1.d4 Black offers up two of his pawns to be immediately snuffed out in exchange for open files, easy development, and intricate counter play that leaves white tap dancing around threats throughout the middle game. In my opinion, the strongest continuation is when white does not accept the gambit fully, but pushes to b6 after capturing the b5 pawn. This continuation takes the sting out of the queenside counter play, however white must play accurately to hold the isolated d pawn on the fifth rank. All in all, I'd rather play benko's accepted as black then white.

Benko Gambit