Benko Gambit Accepted: Pawn Return Variation
The Pawn Return Variation is 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6, where White gives back the pawn to keep the a-file closed. White aims for a solid space edge with d5 and e4; Black regains b6 and plays a Benoni-style setup, often with ...e6 or ...d6 and ...g6.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6
- ECO
- A57
- Engine
- +0.32 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 231 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.6%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Answer 5...Qxb6 with 6.Nc3, e4 and Nf3, then reroute with Nd2 and Nc4 to hit the queen and d6.
- The a6 pawn stays, so Black's a-file never fully opens; keep the queenside quiet and play in the center.
- After 5...e6, recapture on d5 with the knight and keep piece activity, as in the top engine line.
Black
- 5...e6 attacks d5 at once, getting central play before White has developed.
- Recapture on b6 with the queen and set up ...d6, ...g6 and ...Bg7, as the engine shows.
- Use the queen on b6 and the half-open b-file to pressure b2, the main target left from the gambit.
Plans and pawn structure
With the pawn returned, material is level, so the game becomes a normal Benoni-type fight where White has space on d5. White wants e4, Nf3 and a knight jump to c4 to hit the queen and the d6 pawn. Black's queen on b6 and bishop on g7 aim at b2, and ...e6 can open the center. The half-open b-file is Black's main asset, while the a6 pawn can become a target later.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.32: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.32 5...e6 6.Nc3 exd5 7.Nxd5 Nxd5 8.Qxd5
- +0.43 5...Qxb6 6.Nc3 d6 7.e4 g6 8.Nf3
- +0.48 5...d6 6.e4 Qxb6 7.Nc3 g6 8.Nf3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
231 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.6%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
Do not rush to recapture if ...e6 is available; hitting d5 first gives you central play. Otherwise ...Qxb6 and a quick ...d6, ...g6 setup is solid. Avoid leaving the queen on b6 where Nc4 can hit it with tempo. Keep the b-file open for your rooks.
Questions
What are the moves of the Benko Gambit Accepted: Pawn Return Variation?
The Benko Gambit Accepted: Pawn Return Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6. Its ECO code is A57.
Is the Benko Gambit Accepted: Pawn Return Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.32 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 231 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.6%. A simple, low-risk choice for White that sidesteps the gambit's main lines, while Black should aim for quick central play.
What is the main idea of the Benko Gambit Accepted: Pawn Return Variation?
White returns the gambit pawn with b6 so Black cannot open the a-file. The game becomes a level Benoni-type struggle where White uses the d5 pawn for space and Black uses the b-file and dark squares.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is e6, with Qxb6 and d6 close behind. 5...e6 hits d5 before White can support it, so Black gets central activity rather than just regaining b6.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.