ECO code: A00
Benko Opening 3.c4
Moves: 1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 e5 3. c4
This opening arises when White fianchettoes the kingside bishop with 1.g3 and 2.Bg2, followed by an early c4 push challenging Black's strong pawn center. The move 3.c4 is characteristic for aiming to undermine Black’s central pawns on d5 and e5, seeking to gain space and open lines for White's pieces.
From White’s perspective, this is a somewhat aggressive approach to controlling the center by challenging Black's pawn duo directly. Black typically responds by maintaining a strong central presence, so the battle over central control is immediate and crucial.
Overall, the opening focuses on attacking the center rather than playing purely defensively, with White leveraging the fianchettoed bishop and the c4 pawn to put pressure on Black’s central pawns.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Benko Opening 3.c4, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 7 - Move #5 black