Tree path 7 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Indian Defense › Normal Variation › Benoni Defense › Benko Gambit › Benko Gambit Accepted › Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game A40
- Indian Defense A45
- Normal Variation A50
- Benoni Defense A56
- Benko Gambit A57
- Benko Gambit Accepted A57
- Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System A57 you are here
Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System
Overview
Benko Gambit: Zaitsev System is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO A57 in the Flank Openings group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
The Flank Openings group covers flank openings — systems that delay the central pawn break and instead develop pieces and pawns on the wings.
It is reached after 9 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Benko Gambit Accepted, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
It continues primarily into one named line, Benko Gambit: Zaitsev Variation, Nescafe Frappe Attack.
In total, the branch covers 2 sub-variations across all depths.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- A57
- Group
- Flank Openings (A)
- Plies
- 9
- Parent
- Benko Gambit Accepted
- Direct variations
- 1
- Total in subtree
- 2
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
474,463 games · White 43.8% / Draw 5.3% / Black 50.9%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| axb5 | 243,576 | |
| g6 | 120,869 | |
| d6 | 77,780 | |
| Qa5 | 14,095 | |
| e6 | 12,564 | |
| Bb7 | 4,130 | |
| Qb6 | 764 | |
| a5 | 331 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:58:13
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