Benko Gambit Accepted: Yugoslav (A59)

The Yugoslav is a variation of the Benko Gambit Accepted, catalogued as ECO A59. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. 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.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Benko Gambit Accepted: Yugoslav — position after e4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2c4c5
3d5b5
4cxb5a6
5bxa6Bxa6
6Nc3d6
7e4

ECO: A59

Stockfish: +0.85 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Benko Gambit Accepted lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Yugoslav?

The Yugoslav goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4. It is a variation of the Benko Gambit Accepted and is catalogued as ECO A59.

What is the ECO code for the Yugoslav?

The Yugoslav is ECO A59. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Benko Gambit Accepted.

Is the Yugoslav good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 at +0.85 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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 Yugoslav lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move.