Benko g3 12.a4[A59]-TWIC 977

TWIC 977
The solid g3 variation continues to be an effective weapon against the Benko. GM Vovk went with the 12.a4(!) line which is the big fashion now.

More About La Massana Andorra-Host of the Andorra Open



Here is the feature game by the clear winner of the 31è Open Internacional d’Andorra, GM Vovk.

 GM Andrey Vovk

Photo-Chessbase on the Andorra Open

Vovk,A (2567) - Cuenca Jimenez,J (2477)
Benko g3 12.a4[A59]
31st Andorra Open
La Massana AND (4.4), 23.07.2013

Position 1
The 12.a4 line aims for a quick Nb5 to block the a,b files.

12.a4

Position 2
Black's position is loose. What to you recommend for white now?

White to Play

26...Nb4

Benko Gambit g3 12.Qe2 [A59]-TWIC 972

TWIC 972
The Benko cannot be killed. I will have to do more digging to get my primary weapon-g3 into shape. White wins the feature game nicely but improvements for black are easy to find.

More About Tbilisi, Georgia

Here is the feature game.

Nigalidze,G (2456) - Gagunashvili,M (2601)

Benko Gambit g3 12.Qe2 [A59]

72nd ch-GEO 2013 

Tbilisi GEO (9.2), 21.06.2013

Position 1
The goals of each side are clear. Black wants queenside pressure on the a,b files and white seeks to neutralize this plan. What do you recommend for white now?

White to Play

16...c4

Benko Gambit g3-12.Re1 Qb6 13.h3[A59]-TWIC 965

More on GM Ramirez at the US Ch 2013

GM Ramirez defended with the popular Benko Gambit in the feature game. Here is more on the young GM.

'As the Armageddon Playoff happens live right now, we bring you another exclusive pre-playoff match interview with the underdog, GM Alejandro Ramirez! FM Mike Klein reporting from St Louis!'

TWIC 965
GM Holt played a thematic and instructive good knight vs bishop game against the popular Benko Gambit.

Holt,C (2513) - Ramirez,Alej (2551)
Benko Gambit g3-12.Re1 Qb6 13.h3[A59]
ch-USA 2013 Saint Louis USA (3), 05.05.2013

Position 1

White has taken a strong good knight vs bishop middlegame going. What do you recommend for white?

White to Play

37...Qa5

Benko Gambit g3 12.a4[A59]-TWIC 962

More on GM Pal Benko

IGM Pal Benko speaks about Bobby Fischer.

TWIC 962

GM Sokolov used the 'modern' g3-12.a4 wrinkle and achieved an early bind against the topical Benko Gambit.

Sokolov,Ivan (2643) - Shoker,S (2480) 
Benko Gambit g3 12.a4[A59]
15th Dubai Open 2013 Dubai UAE (8.9), 14.04.2013

Position 1

White has taken effective prophylactic measures on the queenside. What do you recommend for white now?

White to Play

17...h6

Benko 8.g3 Bg7 9.Bg2 Nfd7-TWIC 956

TWIC 956
The Benko Gambit is a popular defence which requires concrete handling. The  8.g3 Bg7 9.Bg2 line is one such method and now 9...Nfd7!? is popular. White achieved nothing special in the feature game but got chances when black tried too hard and went astray in complex play.

Anne Haast Bio ericescacchi ITA

WIM Anne Haast

Photo chessvibes 2009-limburg-open

Anne Haast was born in 1993 in Dongen in the Netherlands. At the age of 5 years learn how to play chess from his father. She received the title of WIM in 2010.

• 2003 - 19° in the European Championship Youth
• 2005 - 14° at the World Youth Championship
• 2006 - Dutch Champion of secondary schools
• 2007 - Dutch Champion U14 (Open)
• 2008 - Dutch Rapid Champion 
• 2009 - Dutch Rapid Champion, 4° at the European Youth Championship
• 2010 - 21° in Vlissing Dutch Open, 2° in the Youth Dutch Championship 
• 2011 - Promoted in Dutch League with the Stukkenjagers; 17° in Vlissingen 
• Dutch Open; 13° at the European Team Championships
• 2012 - Participation in the Tata Group C; 3° in the Women Dutch 
• Championship.

Popilski,G (2518) - Haast,A (2268) 
Benko 8.g3 Bg7 9.Bg2 Nfd7!? [A58]
29th Open Cappelle la Grande FRA (6.41), 27.02.2013


Position 1

Black has challenged Rb7 with 24...Rhb8. How should white respond?

White to Play

24...Rhb8