Chess Opening Theory/1. b4

Sokolsky Opening
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation(FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/1P6/8/P1PPPPPP/RNBQKBNR
Moves: 1.b4
ECO code: A00

Sokolsky Opening

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?
• At some point a quick b4-b5 might dislodge a knight on c6.
• Trading the b-pawn for the c-pawn may give white central power.
• If 1...e5 or 1...e6, usual play either continues with 2.a3 or 2.Bb2. The idea after Bb2 is that the black can't play Bxb4 right away, anyway. E.g., 1.b4 e6 2.Bb2 Bxb4? 3.Bxg7 where black loses material, and 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4?! 3.Bxe5 and black loses a central pawn for a flank pawn.

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.

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 c5xb4		=/+

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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.