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Chess Opening Theory/1. b4/1...e5/2. Bb2

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< Chess Opening Theory | 1. b4 | 1...e5
The latest reviewed version was checked on 25 October 2023. There is 1 pending change awaiting review.
Polish Opening
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black pawnf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 white pawnc4 black kingd4 black kinge4 black kingf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white bishopc2 white pawnd2 white pawne2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 black kingd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/1P6/8/PBPPPPPP/RN1QKBNR b

Moves: 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2

Polish Opening

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2. Bb2

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White fianchettoes their queen’s bishop right away, attacking e5 (and Black’s kingside) but leaving their own b4-pawn unguarded. White reckons that Black’s central pawn will be worth more than a flank pawn, which generally is the case. This is a relatively uncharted opening. Black can try:

  • 2...Bxb4 which practically forces White to play 3. Bxe5 with an unclear position in practice, though computer analysis has shown this position to very slightly favour White.
  • 2...d6 which protects black's pawn on e5, but removes the attack on b4.
  • 2...d5 which takes full control of the center, but Black must be careful not to fall into the trap 3. Bxe5 Bxb4?? allowing 4. Bxg7 with a winning position for White (Black’s rook will meet its demise next move, with no compensation).
  • 2...Nc6? is a bad move. After 3. b5!, White wins a pawn after the knight moves, with 4. Bxe5.

Theory table

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For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. b4 e5 2. Bb2

2 3
Polish Opening, Main Line Bb2
Bxb4 		Bxe5
Nf6 		+/=

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References

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