St. George Defense · B00
Polish Variation
1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. Bd3 e6
Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... a6 Takes b5 away from White's bishop. Theory calls this the St. George Defense.
- 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2... b5 Opens the c8-a6 diagonal for the bishop.
Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 4 more moves in this line, 8 in all.
Where this fits
This line is one of 4 in the St. George Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.