The Zaitsev System is a variation of the Benko Gambit, catalogued as ECO A57. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. White has doubled pawns on the b-file; Black’s a-file pawn is isolated.
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 Zaitsev System goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3. It is a variation of the Benko Gambit and is catalogued as ECO A57.
The Zaitsev System is ECO A57. 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. Nc3 at +0.30 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, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the b-file; Black’s a-file pawn is isolated.