Polish Opening · A00
Birmingham Gambit
1. b4 c5
No pawn stands on d4, e4, d5 or e5 - this line is played with the centre squares empty.
The first 2 moves, explained
- 1. b4 Opens the c1-a3 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Polish Opening.
- 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.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 25 in the Polish Opening. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.