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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21. Rab1

It is only a drawn out exchange of the minor pieces and rooks. Black is following the idea that once the recovery of the pawn occurs, then it is time to exchange down into an endgame. He is probably looking for a favorable Queen exchange to seal a fleeting advantage in that phase of the game.

21... Bxb2

When the white rook takes the bishop, it will guard a2.

1 comment

22. Rxb2

Ironically, fewer pieces on the board makes it more probable that a draw will happen. The critical point is illustrated by awkward position of the isolated pawns. **** The last thing White wants to do is exchange the bishop for the knight on d6, while it is on d6. That would allow the e7 pawn to support the c5 point and then White's d pawn looks weak. As is, it is relatively strong. **** Note that after the exchange, Black has fewer pieces to deal with the center thrust by White's d pawn. Fewer pieces on the board actually increase the power of this particular pawn. Black's strategy is going to have to shift to prevent that thrust. As is, the knight is already doing exactly that. But this in of itself leaves Black crippled when it comes to continuing a viable attack.

22... c4

This attacks d pawn and somewhat ties down the white Queen. **** Now that the outpost on d3 is available, I need to prevent its occupation by the knight. I was looking at an advantages way to exchange my Bishop with the Knight in a more favorable circumstance. As is, such an exchange would shut-down my advanced lever. **** Since I knew he would eventually move the knight, I had to think well ahead.

3 comments

23. Bd2

Creating a few nuisance threats allows me to maneuver into a better position.

1 comment

23... Qc5

This move allows white another nuisance play.

24. Bb4

This creates a series of threats again while establishing my own outpost on b4. Notice how the position of the Bishop also prevents an advance by the c pawn. My intention was to manipulate so that my rook could be used for a purpose other than guarding the a2 pawn.

24... Qb5

At this point, I'm beginning to feel a slight advantage in favor of White. I had some control over the initiative. But I don't think it is quite enough to win the game. I would be happy with a draw.

25. a3

This frees up my rook for other plans of action.

1 comment

25... Qb7

I don't like the x-ray attack on my King. I need to respond early to this. It could potentially cause White a great deal of grief later in the game.

26. Kh2

Moving to relative safety. This is more of a strategic move than anything else...to respond to a potential tactical threat.

1 comment

26... h5

26. h5? I was surprised by this move. This weakens the g6, g5, and h6 squares. It could open up a strong attack for White against the Black King. White's Queen is already along the attacking side of the board near a position to take advantage. I thought that building an attack upon White's isolated d pawn or supporting the c pawn for potential further advancement would be more productive. **** Computer analysis suggests that 26. ... h6 would be OK. Frankly, I would not make that move either - although it does make more sense than h5. 26. ... h6 would have created a pawn duo with the g6 pawn and theoretically given Black more options. But it too would have weakened the g6 square. **** Making such a move is usually a sign that you cannot think of anything better to do. In this case, I was thinking about what I might be missing. After all, id=Chrisobee is a higher rated player than me.

1 comment

27. Re2

I decide to add pressure to one of Black's weak points...to see what will happen.

27... Rc8

He ignores the pressure and creates his own threat of advancing the pawn. This should have been his previous move, in my humble opinion. Here, Rd8 might have been more productive because the d pawn is somewhat vulnerable. Such a weakness in White's position would have been more obvious if my King were still on g2. **** But 27. ... Rc8 was OK.

2 comments

28. Bc3

This stops Black's plan, dead in its tracks! It also creates more pressure upon the Black King. I wasn't sure how I could break through on the King-side; but creating strategic threats is often the first step in realizing a tactical plan to do so.

1 comment

28... Nb5

Nb5 only creates a nuisance threat with little actual bite. But it did limit my available moves for my bishop. Bb4 was now impossible because of the fork at d4. **** 29. a4 might have been an alternative to my next move, but after the exchange on c3 my pawn on d5 would be free to take. I didn't like the prospect of defending against a pawn advance with my Queen. Nor did I like the exposure of my f2 weakness while playing defense. Such a combination of moves might suddenly make 26. ... h5 look good.

29. Be5

This was the only sensible move.

29... Nc7

OK. I'm pretty safe right now. I need to create additional threats. Multiple threats at the same time could lead to an advantage. **** My only significant worry is still the d5 pawn. It is being attacked twice.

30. Rd2

I plan to eventually push my d pawn. This move covers the piece twice (simple math suggests this move is needed), while potentially supporting its advance.

1 comment

30... f6

This is a complete surprise! He decides to use his f pawn as a lever now that the e6 lever is questionable at best. 30. f6 seriously weakens the g6 square a second time. It looks like a successful attack upon his king is now possible if I can find it. **** A quick Computer analysis after the game suggests 31. Qe4 fxe5?? 32. Qxg5+ and Black is in deep serious trouble. **** I took my time to study this position and soon realized that after 31. Qe4...Black does not have to take the bishop!! In fact, by not taking he seems to gain an advantage! 31. Qe4 Kg7 32. Bb2 e6. And now my Bishop's movement is restricted and my d5 pawn cannot move. My Queen would be exposed. 33. Qe3 e5! At the very least, the initiative would have been handed to Black "on a silver platter". So I didn't play 31. Qe4. I assumed this was id=Chrisobee's finesse. **** Although 30. ... f6 looked like a good move during the game, further analysis would have revealed that 34. d6 Nd5 35. Qe4 Rc5 36. f4!! Qf7 37. fxe5 c3 38. Bxc3! Nxc3. and now white has a clear advantage because of the advanced passed pawn that is supported. 39. Qb4 Rd5 40. Qxc3 fxe5. And Black's prospects look bleak. But I didn't see this. I was looking for a reason why id=Chrisobee would play 30. ... f6. Once I thought I had found it, I quit searching. **** Now that is tricky. After the game, my computer analysis suggested that I should have played Qe4. If 31. Qe4 fxe5?? 32. Qxg6+ But this is clearly wrong. He won't take my bishop. If I continue to play this line, then suddenly fortunes reverse very quickly. I just didn't look far enough.

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