Benko's Opening

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Not to be confused with Benko Gambit.

Benko's Opening

Moves

1. g3

ECO

A00

Origin

Pal Benko versus Bobby Fischer, 1962, Candidates Tournament, Curaçao

Named after

Pal Benko

Parent

Flank opening

Synonym(s)

Hungarian Opening, Barczay Opening, Bilek Opening

Chessgames.com opening explorer

Benko's Opening (Also known as the Hungarian Opening, the Barczay Opening, and the Bilek Opening), is a chess opening is characterized by the move

1. g3

It is named after Pal Benko, who used 1.g3 to defeat Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal in rounds one and three of the 1962 Candidates Tournament in Curaçao.^[1]

1.g3 is a fairly popular first move, of the twenty possible opening moves, 1.g3 ranks fifth in popularity. It is usually followed by 2.Bg2, fianchettoing the bishop. Usually the game will transpose to another opening such as the Catalan Opening, King's Indian Attack or some variation of the English Opening. 1.g3 also is known to follow 1...e5 2.Bg2 d5 3.Nf3 followed by O-O in which white has development and king safety while black has the pawn center with d- and e- pawns.

In spite of being among the more common first moves, the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has no specific code devoted to 1.g3, so it is classified as A00.^[2] However, most games will transpose to some other opening with another code.