Benko Gambit Accepted, Modern Variation Trap

Black wins material on move 11

Master A57 Wins a pawn Springs the trap: Black

Benko Gambit Accepted: Modern Variation (A57) is a real game that ended in a trap. On move 11, White played 11.Qb3? — a natural-looking move — and Black replied 11...exd5. The result: Black wins material on move 11.

Watch the trap, then test yourself

The moves, one by one

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. 4.
  5. 5.
  6. 6.
  7. 7.
  8. 8.
  9. 9.
  10. 10.
  11. 11.

Tap a move to jump to it. The red move is the mistake.

Why the trap works

The mistake 11.Qb3 looks harmless, but it allows 11...exd5. The trapper wins material and keeps the initiative. With this single move the engine evaluation swings by roughly 2.8 pawns in Black’s favour.

How to avoid it

Instead of 11.Qb3, safe options are Bb3, Be2, Bf1, Bd3. The habit that saves you: before every natural-looking move, ask what your opponent’s best reply is — here it is 11...exd5.

How to set it

Playing Black? Follow the moves above up to move 11, then wait for 11.Qb3. If your opponent finds Bb3 instead, just keep playing sound chess and look for the next chance.

Trap facts

Opening
Benko Gambit Accepted: Modern Variation
ECO code
A57
Difficulty
Master
Springs the trap
Black
The mistake
11.Qb3?
The punishment
11...exd5
Safe moves
Bb3, Be2, Bf1, Bd3
Game
Domanski - Schlesinger (1991)
Position before the mistake (FEN)
rn2kb1r/1b1p1ppp/4pn2/2pP4/1qB5/2N1P3/PP3PPP/R1BQK1NR w KQkq - 2 11

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Benko Gambit Accepted: Modern Variation trap?

Benko Gambit Accepted: Modern Variation (A57) is a real game that ended in a trap. On move 11, White played 11.Qb3? — a natural-looking move — and Black replied 11...exd5. The result: Black wins material on move 11.

How do you avoid the Benko Gambit Accepted: Modern Variation trap?

Instead of 11.Qb3, safe options are Bb3, Be2, Bf1, Bd3. The habit that saves you: before every natural-looking move, ask what your opponent’s best reply is — here it is 11...exd5.

How fast does the Benko Gambit Accepted: Modern Variation trap win?

Black wins material on move 11, after White falls for 11.Qb3.


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