The Benko Bible: Volume 1: The Gambit Accepted
A Dynamic Positional Enterprise

More than a half-century ago, Hungarian-American Grandmaster Pal Benko crafted a strategy for Black to meet 1.d4. A Benoni-style pawn structure is followed by a strike on the queenside – ...b7-b5! While this tactic had already been known, it was Benko who shaped it into a dynamic, dangerous system.

In this first book of a two-volume set, the authors examine the Benko Gambit Accepted in great detail. In addition, understanding that the opening analysis should not stand alone, they examine over 300 endgames arising from these lines. The result is an incredibly thorough and comprehensive treatment of one of Black’s most energetic defenses.

In his Introduction, Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias points out that overall, the Benko Gambit is really a dynamic positional enterprise. Black sacrifices a pawn for open lines on the queenside while at the same time, the black king is relatively safe.

Three-time U.S. Champion, Grandmaster Lev Alburt has been a powerful proponent of the Benko, saying, "An impressive work by excellent authors. I particularly like the QuickStarter! Section and the chapter on the endgames arising out of the Benko Gambit."
1147306450
The Benko Bible: Volume 1: The Gambit Accepted
A Dynamic Positional Enterprise

More than a half-century ago, Hungarian-American Grandmaster Pal Benko crafted a strategy for Black to meet 1.d4. A Benoni-style pawn structure is followed by a strike on the queenside – ...b7-b5! While this tactic had already been known, it was Benko who shaped it into a dynamic, dangerous system.

In this first book of a two-volume set, the authors examine the Benko Gambit Accepted in great detail. In addition, understanding that the opening analysis should not stand alone, they examine over 300 endgames arising from these lines. The result is an incredibly thorough and comprehensive treatment of one of Black’s most energetic defenses.

In his Introduction, Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias points out that overall, the Benko Gambit is really a dynamic positional enterprise. Black sacrifices a pawn for open lines on the queenside while at the same time, the black king is relatively safe.

Three-time U.S. Champion, Grandmaster Lev Alburt has been a powerful proponent of the Benko, saying, "An impressive work by excellent authors. I particularly like the QuickStarter! Section and the chapter on the endgames arising out of the Benko Gambit."
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The Benko Bible: Volume 1: The Gambit Accepted

The Benko Bible: Volume 1: The Gambit Accepted

by Vassilios Kotronias, Mikhail Ivanov
The Benko Bible: Volume 1: The Gambit Accepted

The Benko Bible: Volume 1: The Gambit Accepted

by Vassilios Kotronias, Mikhail Ivanov

Paperback

$39.95 
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Overview

A Dynamic Positional Enterprise

More than a half-century ago, Hungarian-American Grandmaster Pal Benko crafted a strategy for Black to meet 1.d4. A Benoni-style pawn structure is followed by a strike on the queenside – ...b7-b5! While this tactic had already been known, it was Benko who shaped it into a dynamic, dangerous system.

In this first book of a two-volume set, the authors examine the Benko Gambit Accepted in great detail. In addition, understanding that the opening analysis should not stand alone, they examine over 300 endgames arising from these lines. The result is an incredibly thorough and comprehensive treatment of one of Black’s most energetic defenses.

In his Introduction, Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias points out that overall, the Benko Gambit is really a dynamic positional enterprise. Black sacrifices a pawn for open lines on the queenside while at the same time, the black king is relatively safe.

Three-time U.S. Champion, Grandmaster Lev Alburt has been a powerful proponent of the Benko, saying, "An impressive work by excellent authors. I particularly like the QuickStarter! Section and the chapter on the endgames arising out of the Benko Gambit."

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781949859980
Publisher: Russell Enterprises, Incorporated
Publication date: 09/15/2025
Pages: 592
Product dimensions: 7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 2.00(d)

About the Author

Greek Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias, has won the championship of Greece ten times and has represented his country many times in team competitions. He is one of the most respected opening analysts in the world today.

Russian-Serbian Grandmaster Mikhail Ivanov has been successful in many European tournaments, including the 2002 Neckar Open. He is a venerable chess coach and trainer. He has partnered with GM Kotronias on several books for Russell Enterprises.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 4
5.bxa6: Early Deviations and Introduction to the Artificial Castling Line
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6

Acceptance of the Benko Gambit in this way is perhaps the most critical continuation, posing many practical and theoretical problems for Black At the same time, it is the most natural and popular choice, so supporters of the gambit need to be well armed when facing it, knowing a good deal
of theory, middlegame motifs, and, last but not least, some typical endings 5...g6
[diagram]
A major tabiya for the Benko The main point of this chapter will be positions where White allows the exchange of light-square bishops and then resorts to artificial castling, but of course there are also some lesser-known alternatives, some of which can be described as “oddities” and we will
look at them too 6.Nc3 The main move 6.b3?! is an attempt to oppose bishops on the long diagonal and neutralize the typical Benko pressure. However, it is artificial, and Black is given the chance to obtain a slight plus as follows:
6...Bg7 7.Bb2 0-0 8.g3
White has to resort to an inferior version of a kingside fianchetto here, as otherwise he runs the risk of becoming seriously worse For example, after 8.e3 Nxa6! 9.Nf3 Bb7 10.Bc4 Nc7u Black recovers the gambit pawn with interest, as he wins the all-important Pd5 under favorable circumstances,
with the Bb7 having no opponent on the diagonal a8-h1.
8...Nxa6!
Taking on a6 with the knight is best in these positions, as it helps Black apply quickly pressure on d5.
9.Bg2 Bb7
[diagram]
10.Nh3
After 10.e4 e6! 11.Ne2 exd5 12.exd5 Nb4 13.0-0 Re8! 14.Na3!? (instead, 14.Nbc3?! Ba6! only worsens the white position as the threatened invasion on d3 cannot be prevented by 15.Rb1 due to 15...Nxa2!u)
14...Bxd5 15.Bxd5 Nfxd5 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Nc2 Qf6 18.a3 Nxc2 19.Qxc2 Qf3 20.Rae1 d6t Black’s excellent centralization and higher activity offer him at least a slight edge
10...e6 11.Nf4 Nxd5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Bxd5
In the event of 14.e4 Bb7 15.0-0 Nb4 16.Nc3 Ba6 17.Re1 d6 18.Qd2 Qc7t Black remains the better side, although White is not without chances.
14...exd5 15.0-0
[diagram]
15...d4
15...Qf6!? 16.Na3 Nc7 17.Nc2 Rfe8 18.b4! Nb5! 19.bxc5 Nc3 20.Qd3 Nxe2+ 21.Kg2 Qc3 22.Rfd1 Qxc5 23.Nd4 Qxd4 24.Qxd4+ Nxd4 25.Rxd4 Ra5 26.Rad1 Rxa2 27.Rxd5 Ree2 28.Rf1 Red2 29.Rxd2 Rxd2t (Endgame 88) is of course drawable but White still has to prove it
16.a3
16.e3! dxe3 17.Nc3!t/= would have given White excellent chances to equalize

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