Kovalchuk: The Benko Revisited Volume 1

Autor: Kovalchuk, Alexey
Verlag / Hersteller: Thinkers Publishing
Erscheinungsjahr: 2022
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: paperback
Seiten: 424

Rare White sidelines against the Benko Gambit, with initiative for Black

Benko Revisited Volume 1 by Alexey Kovalchuk is an opening book on the Benko Gambit. It covers 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 from Black's side.

The focus lies on the rarer White sidelines, where White avoids the principled main lines.

The book is aimed at active club players who want an initiative-based defence, especially in rapid and blitz games.

The variations are analyzed in depth, so readers need fewer engine checks to find the key moves. The book also contains new move suggestions and improvements to existing lines.

Highlights

• Rare third-move sidelines after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6
• Lines with 3.e3 against the d5 and d4 setups
• Transpositions into the English Opening after 3.Nf3
• Early sidelines and 6.g3 in the Benko structure
• Preparation against the anti-Benko 2.Nf3 c5 3.d5 system
• Move orders with 4.Nd2, 4.a4 (Sosonko variation), 4.Qc2 and 4.Nf3
• Black's initiative built on the pawn sacrifice

Volume 1 covers the sidelines, while Volume 2 completes the opening repertoire with the main lines.

FAQ

Which lines does Volume 1 cover, and what is left for Volume 2?
Volume 1 deals with the rarer lines in which White avoids the main lines of the Benko Gambit. It is organized in four parts: third-move sidelines and 3.e3, the 3.Nf3 transposition into the English, the anti-Benko 2.Nf3 system, and 2.c4 c5 3.d5 move orders leading toward the main line. The main lines are covered in Volume 2.

Who is the book written for?
It is aimed at active club players who want to play Black with the Benko Gambit, particularly in rapid and blitz games. The author also suggests the opening against weaker players who do not know its details.

Does the book require engine analysis to be used effectively?
The variations are analyzed in depth, so readers do not have to wait for an engine to produce ready-made solutions. The author notes that the core of studying this opening can be taken from the book, while individual variations can be improved over time.