Benko Gambit Declined: Sosonko Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
60,945 games: White 48.1% / Draw 5.8% / Black 46.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 32,00032K | ||
| 23,49823K | ||
| 3,0263,026 | ||
| 1,3151,315 | ||
| 782782 | ||
| 113113 | ||
| 9393 | ||
| 8585 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 6, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... Qa5+ 5. Bd2 b4 6. g3 g6 7. Nh3 Bg7 8. Bc1 Qc7 9. Bg2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benko Gambit Declined: Sosonko Variation (ECO A57, Flank Openings) is a declined gambit in the Benko Gambit, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. a4 (4 moves).
In 60,945 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.1%, Black 46.1% and 5.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…bxc4, in 53% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Benko Gambit Declined: Sosonko Variation
The most played answer, 4…bxc4, also scores best for Black: 49.4%, with Black winning 46.7% and White 47.9% of 32K games. Of the main answers, 4…b4 scores lowest: 48.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 4…Qa5+.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Benko Gambit Declined: Sosonko Variation (A57)”. Lichess data as of 6 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benko-gambit-declined-sosonko-variation