Hungarian Opening: Definition & Guide

Hungarian Opening

Definition

The Hungarian Opening is a flank opening for White that begins with the move 1. g3. In modern databases it is classified under ECO code A00 and is also referred to as the King’s Fianchetto Opening or Benko Opening, but its earliest known practitioners were 19th-century Hungarian masters, which is how it acquired its traditional name.

Typical Move Order

The hallmark is the immediate kingside fianchetto:

• 1. g3  d5
• 2. Bg2  Nf6
• 3. Nf3  c5
• 4. O-O  Nc6   (one of many flexible setups)

Because 1.g3 does not stake an early claim in the centre, Black can choose almost any set-up; White’s strategy is to delay central pawn advances (usually c4, d3–d4, or e4) until his pieces are harmoniously developed.

Strategic Ideas

• Kingside fianchetto – The bishop on g2 exerts long-range pressure on the a8–h1 diagonal, often targeting Black’s queenside or centre.
• Flexible centre – By withholding central pawns, White can transpose into Catalan-, Réti-, King’s Indian Attack-, or even reversed Sicilian-type structures, depending on Black’s reply.
• Control, not conquest – The opening tends to be positional; White aims for long-term pressure rather than an immediate tactical melee.
• Psychological weapon – Its rarity at club level can take opponents out of book early, forcing them to rely on general principles.

Historical Significance

The line first appeared in the mid-1800s in the games of Hungarian players such as János Löwenthal. It was revived in the 1920s by Richard Réti, who used it to promote the hyper-modern school’s emphasis on controlling, rather than occupying, the centre. Grandmaster Pál Benkö (another Hungarian) adopted it frequently in the 1960s, leading many English-language texts to call it the Benko Opening.

Illustrative Games

1. Réti – Capablanca, New York 1924
   Réti stunned the reigning World Champion with 1. g3 and eventually drew a technically fine endgame, demonstrating the line’s soundness at the elite level.
2. Smyslov – Fischer, Candidates 1959
   Former World Champion Vassily Smyslov employed the Hungarian Opening to steer the young Fischer into quieter waters, securing a positional victory.
3. Rapport – Caruana, Wijk aan Zee 2017
   The modern Hungarian star Richard Rapport unleashed a sharp pawn storm after 1.g3, showing that the opening can transition into highly tactical play.

For a concise illustration, see the mini-game below in which White exploits the long-diagonal pin:

Common Transpositions

• 1.g3 followed by c4 and d4 can transpose to the Catalan Opening.
• 1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 Nf6 3.Nf3 g6 reaches a double fianchetto resembling symmetrical English lines.
• If White plays e4 early, the game may resemble a King’s Indian Attack.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because the opening often leads to reversed Sicilian structures (with White a tempo up), some grandmasters joke that it is a way to “play the Sicilian as White.”
• Garry Kasparov used 1.g3 only once in serious competition—against Deep Blue in 1997—to avoid the computer’s deep opening book; the game was drawn.
• In the mid-2000s, database statistics showed that club players scored slightly above average with 1.g3, mostly because opponents were unsure of the correct plans.

Practical Tips

1. Patience pays – Don’t rush pawn breaks; coordinate pieces first.
2. Watch the c-pawn – Advancing c2–c4 is an important thematic lever; time it carefully.
3. Be ready to transpose – Study the Catalan, English, and King’s Indian Attack to exploit move-order nuances.
4. Balance the bishop – If the g2-bishop becomes blocked by e4 or d5, consider rerouting or breaking with e4.

Summary

The Hungarian Opening (1.g3) is a flexible, hyper-modern system that prioritises fianchetto development and central control over immediate occupation. Though rarely seen in beginner manuals, it has been used successfully by world champions and modern super-grandmasters alike, making it a valuable addition to any player’s repertoire who seeks variety and rich middlegame play.