Benko (Volga) Gambit

Black sacrifices a wing pawn to open the a- and b-files for long-lasting queenside pressure. The compensation is famously positional and durable, giving Black easy, risk-free play well into the endgame.

• Sacrifice the b-pawn to open the a- and b-files
• Fianchetto and pile rooks and bishop onto the queenside
• Enjoy long-term pressure that persists even into endgames
• Trade queens and still keep an initiative against White's structure