Annotated chess game: Benko's Gambit

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ANNOTATED GAME

Benko's Gambit
lighttotheright (2186) vs. chrisobee (2237)
Annotated by: lighttotheright (1200)
Chess opening: English, 1...Nf6 (Anglo-Indian defense) (A15)

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11. Kg2

...while White can now do the same. The Bishop exchange on f1 did no real damage to White.

11... Nbd7

Black still has the initiative, but is minus the pawn.

12. Re1

Why not? An e4-e5 advance is natural. If the Black pawn on c5 is eventually to be taken, then White has to get rid of its support on d6. Also, an open e file would be advantages for the white rook on e1. **** Black's main strategy is to capture either the a or b pawns to even the material.

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12... Qa5

Good move! This helps support c5 while adding pressure along the open files. But perhaps Qc7 for control of the e5 square was better.

13. h3

I mentioned before that timing is important in this opening. This move prevents Ng4, where by it would provide extra support to the e5 square. More importantly 13. h3 forces Black to commit to a plan of action. And the move also helps subdue White's weak white square problem. **** Black's knight on d7 currently blocks the knight on f6's preferred route of attack. After e5, Black will not want to take. If he does both Black's c and e pawns will be very weak. If he does not take, then the e file is opened up for the White rook. **** It is difficult for White to time things without knowing what Black's plan of action is. But here it should be obvious that some form of additional pressure along the b file is coming. 13. h3 pretty much forces Black's hand to do so. This gives White more maneuverability in the center of the board.

13... Rfb8

Pressure along the a and b files is quite common in the Benko Gambit.

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14. e5

This is a breakout move. White will concentrate upon controlling the center. The last thing he wants to be is distracted because of the pressure along the a and b files. Isolating the c pawn is priority. Those unfamiliar with the position often don't understand this. **** With 14. e5 in this position, the game will likely become at least a draw under best play.

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14... dxe5

The combination to follow is advantages to White because it gives his rook a lift and adds pressure to the e7 pawn. This combination subdues two dangers that Black threatened, at the same time - the e6 lever and the potential for a black knight outpost on d3.

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15. Nxe5

It does not totally eliminate the threats. It only lessens the potential effect.

15... Nxe5

Now this exchange subdues other potential strategic threats by Black. It does not eliminated them.

16. Rxe5

Obviously, the rook will soon be forced to move again because of the bishop on g7.

16... Rb7

As the e7 pawn should not move at this time, it must be defended.

17. Qf3

This sets up potential skewers, adds pressure to Black's King, and supports the white knight on c3 so that b3 becomes possible in the future. This would allow the remaining white Bishop to develop. **** It should be noted that one of the strategies for White is to eventually play b3 followed by a4 and then take advantage of the outpost of b5 with his knight. The danger in this plan is that the x-ray attack upon both the c3 knight and the rook on a1 by Black's bishop at g7. So if White intends to try this, he must coordinate these maneuvers carefully.

17... Ne8

This was expected. Black does not want a potential second break, and he wants to maneuver his knight into a better position while opening up the diagonal for his bishop. Despite the enormous firepower that Black has on the Queen-side, he still needs additional support from his knight and bishop to launch a successful attack.

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18. Re2

This maintains the rook lift and protects important squares along the a and b files. Over protection allows flexibility in movement of any pieces involved. More mobility means better chances.

18... Nd6

This supports an advance to c4, but it may be time consuming to try to take advantage of an outpost on d3. Black cannot do everything he wants at the same time.

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19. Bf4

This makes it difficult for black to maneuver his knight for any real advantage. If the knight moves, then the bishop on f4 supports the advance of the d pawn. **** Some people would consider this a tactical mistake because in allows Black to gain a pawn. In reality, the pawn structure is no longer optimal for Black to gain a winning advantage by regaining the pawn. It is a very subtle finesse. **** The more usual move is 19. Ne4; but, I wanted to change things up a bit and did not want to necessarily directly exchange pieces, unless it led to a more likely drawn position.

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19... Rxb2

White has enough resources to handle things here, despite the pressure upon c3. Black has weak points at c5 and e7. This should be more than enough to compensate for giving back the material.

20. Rxb2

This combination only gives back a single pawn to Black. Granted, the taking of the pawn had to be part of Black's strategy; but here, it is not nearly as effective as it is normally thought to be. **** This resulting pawn structure is different than the usual favorable formation for Black in the Benko's Gambit in a couple of crucial ways. First, Black's c passed pawn is not supported by another pawn. It is just as isolated as my 'a' pawn. That makes it vulnerable to attack. Second, I have an advanced d pawn that can now operate as a crucial lever for White against Black! The move d6 could easily serve as another break for White.

20... Bxc3

At first glance, it may look like White is in a bit of trouble. But...

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