Last night at the Marshall, I was paired against a grandmaster in the second round. A local IM said to me at the start, “you got a GM!”. “Yes”, I said, “That is what I am here for!” He smiled approvingly.
I had black. The GM played a very old line against the Benko. Well, I’ve been around for a very long time, and remembered that it didn’t have much of a bite.
On move 18, I had a plan. By move 21, it did not jell out. By move 27, I resigned.
Another GM was sitting at the next board. The three of us are smokers. We were standing outside the club. The other GM said that on move 18 and 19, I missed the key move. My plan was correct, but I had inverted moves.
My opponent GM disagreed strongly. I was able to understand the conversation, since I just played the game, and took part. We all went back inside to a board. My opponent GM finally conceeded, yes, he could have been busted. At best, he would be down two pawns in a rook endgame, where I would have the Benko Continent.
I’ve had five draws against GMs. They are very hard to beat. Their instincts for survival over the board are strong: a main reason why they are GMs. This was the first time in forty years of tournament play that at least I had a chance to beat a grandmaster: still rewarding!
All the best, Joe
Congrats and too bad. (Sigh!)
Joe, can you share the game here? I am interested in the Benko but am a bit skeptical about it (as Black)… this would certainly be instructive. Thanks, both for your post and (if you can) the game.
It was only a G/30 game—no theoretical interest. Mikhail took the pawns, played a quick e4, and scurried his king to h2. This was first used during the days when Benko himself was playing.
It seems this opening has fallen out of favor long enough. The serious methods to hamper the Benko were published twenty years ago. As Bisguier told me decades ago, good to bring back older systems every now and then. Arthur defeated GM Kamsky as black in a G/30 with 1. e4 Nc6, the Kevitz’ Defense. I doubt Kamsky ever played against it before. Arthur played against chessmaster Kevitz for many years at the Manhattan CC.
The Benko Gambit has a fine history. GM Browne won a few US Championships with it. Later, GM Alburt did the same. In the earlier games of Benko it is easy to understand the potential for black. Browne’s games really refined it. Alburt’s games are comparatively radical! I don’t understand them.
All the best, Joe
WHEN you do beat your first grandmaster, could you post the game on the site? We will celebrate with you!!! 
As long as you played a competitive game, you should be proud. I never even drew a GM. In a previous post, i detailed that i gave one a battle for his life (80+ moves) before losing out in ohio more than 20 years ago . Yeah, i don’t know how they ever lose a game, they seem to have a knack of being able to find resources even when it seems hopeless.