Polish (Sokolsky) opening

The Polish Opening, also known as the Sokolsky Opening or the Orangutan Opening, is an irregular chess opening defined by the move 1.b4. It is classified under ECO code A00.

History

The opening is named after Alexei Pavlovich Sokolsky (1908–1969), a Soviet player who championed it and published a monograph, Debyut 1 b2–b4, in 1963. The move was first played at master level by Bernhard Fleissig against Carl Schlechter in 1893. Its most colourful name, the "Orangutan Opening," stems from the 1924 New York tournament: before his game against Géza Maróczy, Savielly Tartakower visited the Bronx Zoo and reportedly consulted an orangutan named Susan, who indicated he should play 1.b4. Tartakower won the game. Richard Réti used the opening against Abraham Speijer at Scheveningen 1923, and Nikolai Bugaev had earlier defeated Wilhelm Steinitz with it in a simultaneous exhibition, publishing analysis in 1903.

Main Lines & Variations

After 1.b4, White intends to fianchetto the queen's bishop to b2, controlling the long a1–h8 diagonal and exerting pressure on the f6- and g7-squares. Black typically responds with one of several moves:

• 1...e5 – The most popular reply, seizing the centre. White can continue with 2.Bb2 (the Tartakower Gambit arises after 2.Bb2 f6 3.e4 Bxb4) or 2.a3 (the Bugayev Attack).

• 1...d5 – A solid central response, often leading to closed positions.

• 1...c6 – The Outflank Variation, preparing ...d5 or ...Qb6.

• 1...Nf6 – Flexible development; the Polish Spike (2.Bb2 g6 3.g4) is a sharp try for White.

• 1...c5 – The Birmingham Gambit, immediately challenging the b4-pawn.

• 1...b5 – The Symmetrical Variation; White may try the Queen's Knight's Gambit with 2.a4.

Strategic Themes & Plans

White's strategy revolves around queenside play and long-diagonal pressure from b2. The b4-pawn itself can become a target, so White must balance aggression with prophylaxis. Alexander Alekhine criticised the opening, noting that "it reveals White's intentions before White knows what Black's intentions are." Despite this, the opening has appeared at the highest levels: Boris Spassky drew with it against Vasily Smyslov in their 1960 match, and Magnus Carlsen employed it against Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So in the 2021 FTX Crypto Cup rapid tournament. It ranks ninth in popularity among White's twenty possible first moves.