Polish Opening (A00-A05)

25 named lines in this family, ECO A00-A05. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

Main lineA00

1. b4

No pawn stands on d4, e4, d5 or e5 - this line is played with the centre squares empty.

1. b4 Opens the c1-a3 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Polish Opening.

Birmingham GambitA00

1. b4 c5

1... c5 Challenges the pawn on b4 - it can push to b5 or take on c5. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Birmingham Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Dutch DefenseA00

1. b4 f5

1... f5 Fights for e4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Dutch Defense.

Grigorian VariationA00

1. b4 Nc6

1... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Grigorian Variation.

Karniewski VariationA00

1. b4 Nh6

1... Nh6 Develops the knight to h6. It backs up the pawn on f7. Theory calls this the Karniewski Variation.

Outflank VariationA00

1. b4 c6

1... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Outflank Variation.

Symmetrical VariationA00

1. b4 b5

1... b5 Opens the c8-a6 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Symmetrical Variation.

Bugayev AttackA00

1. b4 e5 2. a3

In the centre, Black holds e5.

1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
2. a3 Takes b4 away from Black's bishop. Theory calls this the Bugayev Attack.

Baltic DefenseA00

1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Bf5

White's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.

1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
2. Bb2 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d4 and e5 from a distance.
2... Bf5 Develops the bishop to f5, eyeing e4. Theory calls this the Baltic Defense.

Czech DefenseA00

1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 d6

2... d6 Supports the centre, adding control of e5. Theory calls this the Czech Defense.

German DefenseA00

1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Qd6

2... Qd6 Brings the queen out with a concrete threat - the b4 pawn is suddenly hanging. It also props up the d5 pawn. Theory calls this the German Defense.

King's Indian VariationA00

1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6

1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the King's Indian Variation.

Wolferts GambitA00

1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 c5

2... c5 The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Wolferts Gambit: development and initiative over material.

Bugayev Advance VariationA00

1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 f6 3. b5

2... f6 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.

King's Indian Variation, Schiffler AttackA00

1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. e4

Myers VariationA00

1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. a4

Outflank Variation, Schuehler GambitA00

1. b4 c6 2. Bb2 a5 3. b5

2... a5 Challenges the pawn on b4 - it can push to b5 or take on a5.

Tartakower GambitA00

1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 f6 3. e4

Queen's Indian VariationA00

1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 b6

1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5.

Queenside DefenseA00

1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 a6

Schiffler-Sokolsky VariationA00

1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 d5 4. e3

Schuehler GambitA00

1. b4 c6 2. Bb2 a5 3. b5 cxb5 4. e4

An early pawn trade leaves the b-file as White's avenue and the c-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.

King's Indian Variation, Sokolsky AttackA00

1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. d4

White's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal and Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

Rooks Swap LineA00

1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 a6 4. a4 axb5 5. axb5 Rxa1 6. Bxa1

The a-file is fully open.

Zukertort SystemA05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b4 g6 3. Bb2

1. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Zukertort Opening.

Polish Opening