King's Pawn Opening: St George & Polish Variation
King’s Pawn Opening
Definition
The King’s Pawn Opening is the move 1. e4 executed by White on the first move. It immediately places a pawn in the center, liberates both the queen and king’s-bishop, and is the gateway to a vast family of “Open” and “Semi-Open” games.
Usage in Play
After 1. e4, Black can:
- Symmetrically reply 1…e5 (Open Games), leading to the Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Scotch, etc.
- Counter in asymmetrical fashion, e.g. 1…c5 (Sicilian), 1…e6 (French), 1…c6 (Caro-Kann), 1…d6 (Pirc / Modern), or the audacious 1…a6 (St George).
The move is therefore both a strategic claim to central space and a practical attempt to dictate the flavor of the middlegame.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Because 1. e4 opens lines so quickly, games begun with it tend to feature:
- Rapid piece development.
- Early tactical skirmishes.
- Open or semi-open pawn structures.
Historically, 1. e4 was the dominant first move throughout the 19th century—Paul Morphy, Adolf Anderssen, and Wilhelm Steinitz built their reputations on its aggressive possibilities. Only when players like Tarrasch and Nimzowitsch began championing 1. d4 did the “Queen’s Pawn Game” gain equal footing.
Illustrative Example
Morphy–Anderssen, Paris 1858 (partial):
In just eight moves, every white piece except the queen’s-rook is active, exemplifying the King’s Pawn ethos.
Interesting Facts
- Grandmasters often label themselves “1. e4 players” or “1. d4 players,” a shorthand for their stylistic preferences.
- Garry Kasparov credited 1. e4 with teaching him “the value of initiative” in his early career before he later diversified with 1. d4 and 1. c4.
St George Defence
Definition
The St George Defence (also called the Baker Defence or Basman Defence) arises after 1. e4 a6. Black refrains from immediate central contact, aiming instead for …b5, …Bb7 and counter-punching on the queenside.
Typical Move-Order & Ideas
- 1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5 – staking space on the flank.
- …Bb7 places the bishop on the long diagonal.
- …e6 and …c5 challenge the center later, in Grünfeld-like fashion.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Although long considered eccentric, the opening embodies hyper-modern principles: concede the center early, then undermine it. It gained notoriety when British IM Michael Basman used it successfully in the 1970s–80s, and later when GM Tony Miles stunned World Champion Anatoly Karpov (Skara, 1980) with the related 1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5 3. Nf3 Bb7, eventually winning.
Sample Game Fragment
Miles – Karpov, Skara 1980 (moves 1–12):
White’s center looks impressive, but Black soon chips away with …d6 and thematic piece play.
Interesting Nuggets
- The opening’s name honors Saint George slaying the dragon—an allegory for the underdog (Black) defeating the “dragon” of 1. e4.
- In 1993 Nigel Short flirted with the St George against Garry Kasparov during his World-Championship preparation, though it never appeared in the match.
Polish Variation
Definition
“Polish Variation” can refer to a few openings that feature an early …b5 advance by Black or b4 by White, mirroring ideas from the Polish Opening (1. b4). The most commonly cited is the Polish Variation of the French Defence:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 b5!?
Main Ideas
- Black deflects White’s central pawn from c2–c4 or pressures e4 indirectly.
- …Bb7 follows, eyeing e4 and sometimes g2.
- After 3. Bxb5 Bb7, Black regains the pawn with active piece play.
Strategic & Historical Context
The line was experimented with by Polish masters in the early 20th century, hence the name. It blends French structures with Polish-Defense themes and is valued as a surprise weapon at club level.
Alternative “Polish Variation” Usages
- King’s Indian Defence — Polish Variation: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. b4!? where White pushes the b-pawn analogously.
- Nimzo-Indian Defence — Polish Variation: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. b4!?
Illustrative Miniature
Tartakower – Bogoljubov, Berlin 1928 (French, Polish Variation):
Black quickly seizes the long diagonal, illustrating the gambit-like character of the line.
Trivia
- Because the ECO code for 1. e4 e6 2. d4 b5 is C00, it technically falls under “unclassified French lines,” leaving room for personal improvisation.
- IM Michael Basman—famous for the St George—also champions the Polish Variation, joking that “…b5 is the antidote to boredom.”