Chess opening · ECO A00
Polish Opening
1.b4, the Polish Opening, pushes a wing pawn two squares on move one. It takes space on the queenside and clears b2 for the dark-squared bishop, which will aim down the long diagonal toward e5 and g7. The catch is that the b4 pawn has no pawn defending it, so White must be ready to trade it or protect it with a3 or c3.
- Rank by weighted share
- #66 of 159
Key moves
1. b4
- 1. b4The pawn claims a5 and c5 and gives the c1 bishop a path to b2. It stands alone on b4, though, and any black bishop that reaches the a3-f8 diagonal will attack it. White plays the opening knowing that b4 may be traded off early.
Why 1...e5 hits the b4 pawn
Moving the e-pawn does two jobs for Black. It takes a central square, and it opens the f8 bishop's diagonal all the way to b4. After 2.Bb2, White's bishop hits e5 in return, so both sides now have a pawn under attack.
In the main trade, Black takes with 2...Bxb4 and White replies 3.Bxe5. Material is level again, but the pawn structure has changed: White has swapped a wing pawn for a central one and keeps an extra center pawn on the board.
The bishop on e5 and the g7 square
Once White's bishop sits on e5, it eyes g7 through the empty f6 square. Black's 3...Nf6 blocks that line and develops at the same time. White then tends to play Nf3, e3 and c4, building a center behind the bishop.
Black often castles quickly and uses the b4 bishop, which pins the d2 pawn to the white king, to slow White's development.
The trade of b-pawn for e-pawn
1... e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. Nf3 O-O
Both sides have captured a pawn. White's bishop is active on e5 and Black's is active on b4. White still has both central pawns, d2 and e2, while Black has kept the d-pawn and castled early.
Top replies by rating
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | e5 50% | d5 26% | e6 9% |
| 1200–1399 | e5 45% | d5 24% | e6 10% |
| 1400–1599 | e5 46% | d5 18% | e6 9% |
| 1600–1799 | e5 44% | d5 18% | e6 11% |
| 1800–1999 | e5 36% | d5 20% | e6 13% |
| 2000 and up | e5 39% | d5 18% | Nf6 13% |
Questions
Can White keep the b4 pawn?
Yes. Some players answer 1...e5 with 2.a3, so a capture on b4 can be met by axb4. Others prefer 2.Bb2 and accept the pawn trade on e5, which opens play faster.
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.