The Fianchetto Variation is a variation of the Benko Gambit, catalogued as ECO A58. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after eight moves.
On the Benko Gambit generally: ECO A57. A chess opening with 8 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.
See all 9 Benko Gambit variations →
The Fianchetto Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3. It is a variation of the Benko Gambit and is catalogued as ECO A58.
The Fianchetto Variation is ECO A58. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Benko Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3 at +0.59 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move.