Chess Opening Theory/1. b4
This page may need to be | Sokolsky Opening | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation(FEN)
rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/1P6/8/P1PPPPPP/RNBQKBNR |
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| Moves: 1.b4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECO code: A00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contents |
[edit] Sokolsky Opening
[edit] 1.b4
This opening is also known as "Polish Opening" or "The Orangutan". Some common ideas motivating this move:
- Fianchettoing is often a good idea, why not grab a little space?
- Who knows if at some point a quick b4-b5 might dislodge a knight on c6?
- Perhaps I can trade the b-pawn for the c-pawn. Then I'll have all the central power I need.
- If 1...e5 or 1...e6, White faces a choice. If White doesn't play a quick 2.b5, 2.a3 or 2.c3,Black gets a free pawn with 2...Bxb4.
[edit] Statistics
No statistics as 1. b4 is rarely played.
The opening is not well-charted, and is not often played by strong grandmasters (check any online databases for white players ELO >= 2500). Even so, most opening encyclopedias give this move equal chances, and the resulting game has a very different feel from your average 1. e4, 1. d4, or even 1. c4 opening.
Black usually responds by playing in the center with ...d5 or ...e5, or by exploiting the weak position of the pawn by playing ...e5 or ...e6. The flexible 1...Nf6 has been played as well.
[edit] Theory table
For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation
1. b4
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | b4 e5 |
Bb2 Bxb4 |
Bxe5 Nf6 |
= |
| 1 | ... ... |
a3 d5 |
Bb2 a5 |
= |
| 2 | ... d5 |
Bb2 Nf6 |
e3 e6 |
= |
| 3 | ... Nf6 |
Bb2 e6 |
= | |
| Outflank Variation | ... c6 |
Bb2 a5 |
= | |
| ... ... |
... d5 |
=/+ | ||
| Birmingham Gambit | ... c5 |
b4xc5 e5 |
= | |
| ... ... |
a3 b5xc4 |
=/+ |
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[edit] References
- Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings (Second Edition ed.). Cardoza. ISBN 1-58042-072-9.
- Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
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