The Tuebingen Variation of the Polish Opening arises after 1.b4 Nh6. ECO code: A00.

Overview

This is one of the rarest responses to 1.b4. Black places the knight on the rim, typically planning ...f6 and ...Nf7 or ...f5 with a later ...Nf7 to contest central squares. The name derives from the German city of Tübingen, where correspondence players experimented with this unusual setup.

Strategic Themes & Plans

The knight on h6 appears misplaced by classical standards, but Black may reroute it to f7 or g4 depending on the pawn structure. White should continue with standard Polish Opening plans: 2.Bb2, aiming for long-diagonal pressure, or 2.b5, seizing queenside space. The position remains highly unconventional and carries significant surprise value, though it concedes White a comfortable initiative with normal development.