ECO A57 · Benko Gambit Declined

Benko Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Sämisch

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. f3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… b4+0.04

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benko Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Sämisch (A57), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. f3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… b4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.04).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.044… b4 5. e4 d6 6. Bd3 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Nf3 Nbd7 9. O-O
  2. +0.164… e6 5. e4 bxc4 6. Nc3 exd5 7. exd5 d6 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. Bb5
  3. +0.254… bxc4 5. e4 e6 6. Nc3 exd5 7. Nxd5 Ba6 8. Ne3 Nc6 9. Qa4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benko Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Sämisch?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. f3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… b4 for Black, continuing 5. e4 d6 6. Bd3 g6 7. f4 Bg7 8. Nf3 Nbd7 9. O-O. The position is roughly equal (+0.04). The next best moves are 4… e6 (+0.16) and 4… bxc4 (+0.25).
Is the Benko Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Sämisch a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.04: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Benko Gambit Declined: Pseudo-Sämisch?
A57. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).