Polish Opening
You play White · 8 variations
Mixed practice
The machine picks a different variation every time.
Take a quiz
10 positions: find the next theory move in each. No take-backs, no hints.
Main variations · 2
Other variations · 6
- Polish Opening, with d5A001. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. Nf33 moves
- Myers VariationA001. b4 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. a43 moves
- Schiffler-Sokolsky VariationA001. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 d5 4. e34 moves
- Schuehler GambitA001. b4 c6 2. Bb2 a5 3. b5 cxb5 4. e44 moves
- Tartakower GambitA001. b4 e5 2. Bb2 f6 3. e43 moves
- Zukertort SystemA051. Nf3 Nf6 2. b4 g6 3. Bb23 moves
What is the Polish Opening?
The Polish Opening is 1.b4, also called the Sokolsky or the Orangutan. You grab queenside space at once and prepare Bb2 to aim at the long diagonal and e5, while the b-pawn can later advance to b5 to harass a knight on c6. It is a provocative, offbeat flank opening rather than a mainstream one, positional in character but with plenty of tactics around the loose b4 pawn.
Main ideas and plans
The key replies hit the b4 pawn. After 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Black's bishop can take on b4, and the usual line 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 3.Bxe5 Nf6 regains the pawn but gives Black quick development; you continue with Nf3, e3 and c4, using the half-open b-file. The Tartakower Gambit, 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 f6 3.e4, gives up the b-pawn to open lines for your pieces. In the Outflank Variation, 1.b4 c6, Black prepares ...a5 and ...Qb6 against your b4 pawn; you often answer with b5 or a3, and the Schuehler Gambit, 1.b4 c6 2.Bb2 a5 3.b5 cxb5 4.e4, is the gambit approach.
Against the common 1.b4 e6, the advance 1.b4 e6 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.b5 gains space; Black can then choose the Queenside Defense with ...a6, which can lead to the Rooks Swap Line after a4, or the Schiffler-Sokolsky Variation with ...d5, met by e3. Against 1.b4 d5 the solid answer is Bb2, e3, Nf3 and often a3; the Myers Variation, 1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 c6 3.a4, uses the a-pawn to prepare b5. Against a King's Indian set-up you can build the Sokolsky Attack, 1.b4 Nf6 2.Bb2 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e3 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.d4, taking space across the board, and the Zukertort System, 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b4, reaches similar play by another move order.
Who is it for?
The Polish suits creative players who like to leave theory early and play original positions, and it works well as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz. Its risk is that the b4 pawn can become a target and your queenside can loosen, so you must react precisely to ...e5 and to the ...c6, ...a5 and ...Qb6 plan. First learn the lines after 1.b4 e5 with Bb2 and the recapture on e5, then how to meet ...c6 and ...a5 with b5 or a3.