Benko Gambit Accepted: Central Storming Variation (A58)

The Central Storming Variation is a variation of the Benko Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO A58. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. f4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves.

On the Benko Gambit Accepted generally: ECO A57. A chess opening with 10 known variations.

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Benko Gambit Accepted: Central Storming Variation — position after f4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. f4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4c5
3d5b5
4cxb5a6
5bxa6g6
6Nc3Bxa6
7f4

ECO: A58

Stockfish: +0.42 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Benko Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Central Storming Variation?

The Central Storming Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. f4. It is a variation of the Benko Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO A58.

What is the ECO code for the Central Storming Variation?

The Central Storming Variation is ECO A58. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Benko Gambit Accepted.

Is the Central Storming Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. f4 at +0.42 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Central Storming Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move.