ECO A57 · Benko Gambit

Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3

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

5… axb5+0.49

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System (A57), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… axb5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.49).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.495… axb5 6. Nxb5 e6 7. dxe6 fxe6 8. e3 Be7 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. b3
  2. +0.865… Qa5 6. bxa6 Bxa6 7. Bd2 g6 8. e4 Bxf1 9. Kxf1 Qa6+ 10. Qe2
  3. +1.105… d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. a4 O-O 9. Ra3 Re8 10. Be3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… axb5 for Black, continuing 6. Nxb5 e6 7. dxe6 fxe6 8. e3 Be7 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. b3. White is slightly better (+0.49). The next best moves are 5… Qa5 (+0.86) and 5… d6 (+1.10).
Is the Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.49: white is slightly better. 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: Zaitsev System?
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+).