Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO A57), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code A57. ECO group A (A00–A99) covers flank and irregular openings, including the English, Bird, Réti and Dutch defences. This particular variation is reached after 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3.

It belongs to the Benko Gambit family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Zaitsev System line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 Nf6, 2.c4 c5, 3.d5 b5, 4.cxb5 a6, 5.Nc3. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.