The Zaitsev Variation, Nescafe Frappe Attack 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 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5, 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. It is Black to move after seven moves.
On the Benko Gambit generally: ECO A57. A chess opening with 8 known variations.
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See all 9 Benko Gambit variations →
The Zaitsev Variation, Nescafe Frappe Attack goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5. It is a variation of the Benko Gambit and is catalogued as ECO A57.
The Zaitsev Variation, Nescafe Frappe Attack 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 axb5 6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 at +0.23 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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 e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.