Benko Gambit Declined: Bishop Attack

Benko Gambit Declined: Bishop Attack

Definition

The Benko Gambit Declined: Bishop Attack is a specific variation that arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Bg5.
Instead of accepting Black’s pawn sacrifice with 4.cxb5 (the Benko Gambit Accepted), White leaves the pawn on b5 and immediately develops the king’s-bishop to g5, pinning the knight on f6. The ECO code most frequently associated with this line is A57.

How the Line Is Used

The Bishop Attack serves several practical purposes for White:

• Preventing …e6 – By pinning the f6-knight, White makes Black’s …e6 break (undermining d5) harder to achieve.
• Declining the Gambit Without Passivity – White avoids the complex pawn-down positions typical of the accepted Benko while still fighting aggressively for the initiative.
• Restricting …g6 Development – Black often wants to fianchetto the bishop to b7; the early Bg5 can provoke …h6 and …g5, weakening the kingside.

Strategic Themes

• Center vs. Queenside – As in all Benko structures, Black seeks long-term queenside pressure; White counters in the center (e4, e5) and sometimes on the kingside.
• Temporary Pin – The Bg5 pin is usually short-lived; Black will often play …Ne4 or …h6 followed by …g5. White must be ready to drop the bishop back or exchange.
• Piece Activity Over Material – White keeps material equality but tries to exploit superior development before Black completes queenside expansion.

Typical Continuations

1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Bg5 (Bishop Attack) bxc4 5.Nc3 
   Black grabs the pawn anyway, but loses time. White aims for e4 and Nf3 with strong center.
2. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bxf6 exf6 6.e3 a6
   White has given up the bishop pair but fractured Black’s pawn structure and delayed …bxc4.

Historical & Practical Significance

While the mainstream theoretical spotlight in the Benko Gambit shines on the Accepted lines, the Bishop Attack has enjoyed sporadic popularity as a practical weapon:

• Early Use – Grandmasters such as Bent Larsen and Boris Spassky tested the idea in the 1970s, noticing Black’s queenside pawn mass could become overextended.
• Modern Revival – In the 2000s, players like Alexander Grischuk and Pavel Eljanov occasionally resurrected 4.Bg5 to sidestep deep Benko theory.
• Surprise Factor – Because most Benko specialists expect the pawn capture on b5, the Bishop Attack can push them into less-studied territory as early as move four.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The short game below demonstrates how quickly things can go wrong for Black if the gambit play is too optimistic:

[[Pgn| d4 Nf6| c4 c5| d5 b5| Bg5 bxc4| Nc3 Qa5| Bxf6 gxf6| e4 Ba6| Nf3 d6| Nd2 Qb4| Qc2 Nd7| f4 Bh6| g3 Rb8| Be2 Qxb2| Qxb2 Rxb2| Bxc4|]]

After only 15 moves, White has regained the pawn with interest while Black’s king remains in the center and the pawn structure is shattered.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Name Game – Some databases label 4.Bg5 as the “Nescafé Frappe Attack,” a tongue-in-cheek nickname coined on internet forums, reflecting its role as a “coffee-house” surprise weapon.
• Computer Opinion – Modern engines rate the Bishop Attack as roughly equal for both sides, in contrast to the slight engine preference for Black in mainstream Benko Accepted positions.
• Psychological Edge – Because Benko aficionados relish sacrificial, positionally sound pawn play, forcing them into a material-even struggle can be psychologically uncomfortable.

Practical Tips for Both Sides

• For White
  • Develop rapidly; consider f4–e5 pawn storms before Black castles long.
  • Be flexible with the light-squared bishop; sometimes Bh4 or Bxf6 are both viable.
  • Watch for tactical chances on e7 when the queen lands on a5 or b4.
• For Black
  • Decide early: accept the pawn later with …bxc4, or switch plans with …e6 and rapid central counterplay.
  • Break the pin efficiently—…h6 and …g5 or …Ne4—and keep the initiative flowing.
  • Remember that the signature Benko pressure on the a- and b-files is still attainable, but usually one tempo slower.