Chess Opening Theory/1. g3

Benko Opening
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/6P1/PPPPPP1P/RNBQKBNR
Moves: 1.g3
ECO code: A00
Parent: Starting position

1. g3 - Benko Opening

Also known as the King's Fianchetto Opening, with this move, White prepares to fianchetto the Bishop to g2. It has many long term prospects of applying pressure on the centre and Black's Queenside. The ease with which White can castle Kingside often aids White's position. When playing this opening, White will often adopt the Barcza System, with a Bishop on g2 and a Knight on f3.

Statistics

Approximate chances

White win 38%, Draw 36%, Black win 28%

Estimated next move popularity

d5 34%, Nf6 18%, g6 18%, e5 16%, c5 10%, f5 3%, e6 1% other moves less than 1%

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation

1.g3
1	g3 d5	Bg2 Nf6	Nf3 c6	O-O Bg4	=
2	... Nf6	Bg2 d5	See above
3	... g6	Bg2 Bg7	e3 Nf6	Ne2 O-O	O-O d5	d3 e5
4	... e5
5	... c5	Nf3 Nc6	Bg2 g6				=

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References

• Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.