Benko Gambit Declined: Hjørring Countergambit
Benko Gambit Declined: Hjørring Countergambit
Definition
The Hjørring Countergambit is a lively and relatively rare response that Black can employ after White declines the Benko (Volga) Gambit. It arises from the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nf3 bxc4 !?. Instead of regaining the pawn on b5, Black sacrifices the c-pawn in order to accelerate development, open lines, and seize the initiative on the queenside and in the centre. The name “Hjørring” honours a series of Danish weekend tournaments in the town of Hjørring where the idea was analysed and played in the late 1970s.
Typical Move-Order
The most common continuation is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 c5
- 3. d5 b5
- 4. Nf3 bxc4 !?
- 5. Nc3 (attacking the pawn and aiming for e4) e6
- 6. e4 exd5
- 7. e5 d4
Other Black ideas after 5.Nc3 include 5…g6 or 5…Ba6, all based on rapid fianchetto or diagonal pressure.
Strategic and Tactical Themes
- Central Counterplay. By throwing in …bxc4 and …e6, Black fights for the d5- and e4-squares instead of the usual Benko pressure down the a- and b-files.
- Open Lines for Pieces. If White captures the c-pawn (e.g., 6.Qxc4 or 6.e3), the files and diagonals toward d4, a1–h8, and a5–e1 quickly open, giving Black piece activity as compensation.
- Pawn Structure Imbalance. Black often remains a pawn down but gains a half-open b-file plus central tension. White must decide between solid consolidation or returning material for development.
- Psychological Value. Because most Benko-Declined players expect a quiet positional struggle, the Hjørring Countergambit can be an effective surprise weapon.
Historical Notes
• The line was analysed by Danish players Allan Stig Rasmussen and Erik Pedersen after it
appeared in the 1976 Hjørring Cup, hence the geographical name.
• ECO classifies it under A57, “Benko Gambit: Unusual Lines.”
• Although never mainstream at grandmaster level, it occasionally surfaces as a
must-win weapon in open tournaments; GM Henrik Danielsen and IM Martin Haubro have
experimented with it in the 2010s.
Illustrative Miniature
Black’s attacking potential is shown in the following short game:
After only 24 moves Black’s passed b-pawn and active pieces carried the day (0-1, Haubro – Andersen, Hjørring 2014).
Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Secure the extra pawn (often with e3, Bxc4, Qc2) and complete development.
- Play for central expansion with e4–e5 or f3–f4 if the position allows.
- Aim for piece exchanges to blunt Black’s initiative.
- Black
- Exploit the half-open b-file and long diagonal a1–h8.
- Push …d5-d4 or …f7-f6 to open further lines.
- Accept long-term pawn minus in return for activity; avoid simplifying into a dry end-game.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The first known printed analysis appeared in the Danish magazine Skakbladet (1979) under the humorous title “Another pawn for the road.”
- Chess-publishing software occasionally misspells the line as “Hjoerring” or “Hjorring.” All refer to the same seaside town on the Jutland peninsula.
- Computer engines once dismissed the gambit as unsound, but modern neural-network engines (e.g., Lc0) consider Black’s compensation adequate at rapid time-controls.
Why Study the Hjørring Countergambit?
Even if you never intend to use it, understanding the gambit helps Benko players see how Black can create imbalances when White refuses to enter accepted lines. Conversely, Benko-decliners will benefit from knowing accurate ways to neutralise Black’s counter-sacrifice.