Polish Defense · A40

Spassky Gambit Accepted

1. d4 b5 2. e4 Bb7 3. Bxb5

The structure hands Black the half-open b-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... b5 Opens the c8-a6 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Polish Defense.
• 2. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... Bb7 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d5 and e4 from a distance.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 1 more move in this line, 5 in all.