Benko Gambit Accepted
The Benko Gambit Accepted is 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6, where Black follows up by offering a second pawn on a6. White has to choose between taking with bxa6, returning with b6, or developing with e3 or Nc3; Black wants open files whatever the choice.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6
- ECO
- A57
- Engine
- +0.75 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,322 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 5.e3 is the engine's first choice, preparing Bxb5 or a central break with dxe6 after ...e6.
- 5.bxa6 grabs a second pawn; 5.Nc3 axb5 6.Nxb5 trades pawns and keeps play lively.
- The b6 push hands the pawn back so the a-file stays closed, a calmer route.
Black
- Keep offering material for lines: recapture on a6 or b5 later and develop with ...g6 and a fianchetto.
- After 5.e3, the engine's 5...e6 6.dxe6 fxe6 gives Black a central pawn mass for the gambit pawn.
- Against 5.Nc3, take 5...axb5 and use ...e6 and ...Nxe4 tactics, as the engine line shows.
Plans and pawn structure
The choice at move 5 sets the structure. After bxa6, Black gets the classic Benko with a bishop on a6 and open files. After e3, play becomes central, with Black sometimes playing ...e6 and recapturing fxe6. After Nc3, pieces fly on b5 and e4 and both sides must calculate. In every case Black's long-term trumps are the open b-file and pressure on b2, while White's are the extra pawn or the d5 space.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.75: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.75 5.e3 e6 6.dxe6 fxe6 7.Nc3 Be7
- +0.64 5.bxa6 e6 6.Nc3 exd5 7.Nxd5 Nxd5
- +0.31 5.Nc3 axb5 6.Nxb5 e6 7.e4 Nxe4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,322 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Fully Accepted Variation5.bxa6 · 464 games
- Zaitsev System5.Nc3 · 312 games
- Modern Variation5.e3 · 271 games
- Pawn Return Variation5.b6 · 231 games
- Dlugy Variation5.f3 · rare
- Nescafe Frappe Attack5.Nc3 · rare
- King Walk Variation5.bxa6 · rare
How to play against it
Pick a system you understand. 5.e3 is the engine's choice and keeps the center under control, while 5.bxa6 leads to the main Benko structures. Avoid moves that leave the b5 pawn hanging without development, and be ready for ...e6 hitting d5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Benko Gambit Accepted?
The Benko Gambit Accepted starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6. Its ECO code is A57.
Is the Benko Gambit Accepted good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.75 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,322 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.0%. A rich branching point; White players should pick one fifth move and learn it well, while Black needs to know the plans for each.
What is the main idea of the Benko Gambit Accepted?
Black offers a second pawn on a6 to open the a- and b-files. White chooses between grabbing it, returning a pawn, or developing with e3 or Nc3, and each choice changes how Black's pressure builds.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e3, with bxa6 and Nc3 close behind. 5.e3 prepares Bxb5 and gives White control of the center before Black's pressure builds.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.