Polish Opening Grigorian Variation
Polish Opening, Grigorian Variation
Definition
The Polish Opening, also known as the Sokolsky or Orangutan (1. b4), is a flank opening in which White immediately claims space on the queenside and fianchettoes the c1-bishop on the long diagonal. The Grigorian Variation is a specific reply by Black characterised by the rapid pin …Bg4. A common move-order is:
1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg4
The line is named after Armenian master Sergey Grigorian, who used this set-up in the Soviet Championship circuit of the 1960s and 70s. With the bishop on g4 Black adopts a reversed Trompowsky structure, fighting immediately for the dark squares and attempting to undermine White’s atypical queenside expansion.
Typical Move-Order and Branches
Although the critical position can be reached through several transpositions, two routes are seen most often:
-
1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg4
– the pure Grigorian. -
1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg4
– a transposition favoured by players who prefer a French-style structure before committing the bishop.
After the pin White usually chooses between:
- 4. e3 – a solid line, keeping the pawn chain flexible.
- 4. Ne5 – immediately challenging the bishop but allowing structural concessions.
- 4. a3 – questioning the bishop on g4 at the cost of time.
Strategic Themes
- Reversed Trompowsky ideas: Black’s bishop pin on g4 echoes White’s attacking plans in the Trompowsky (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5) but with colours flipped. The goal is to exert long-term pressure on the f3-knight and possibly double White’s pawns.
- Dark-square control: By placing the g4-bishop outside the pawn chain before …e6, Black secures influence over e5, d4 and c3, squares that often become outposts for the knight on f6 or a later …Nc6.
- Queenside tension: White’s b-pawn advance gains space, but it can also become a target after …a5, …axb4 or …c5. Accurate handling of the a1–h8 diagonal is essential.
- Flexible centre: Because 1. b4 does not touch the centre, both sides can decide later whether to close it with …e6/d6 or open it with …c5/e5 and c2-c4/e2-e4.
Theoretical & Historical Notes
- The variation is considered sound for Black but offers ample room for creative play; modern engines give White a small edge if the initiative is maintained.
- Grigorian employed the line against several noted grandmasters, notably defeating IM Valery Chekhov in the 1973 Moscow Team Championship with a sharp …e5 break.
- Although still a rare guest at elite level, the set-up has been adopted as a surprise weapon by Alexander Morozevich and blitz specialist GM Baadur Jobava.
Illustrative Mini-Game
A condensed example showing typical ideas:
[[Pgn| b4|d5|Bb2|Nf6|Nf3|Bg4|e3|e6|a3|Nbd7|c4|c6|Qc2|Bd6|Nc3|O-O|Be2|dxc4|Bxc4|e5| fen|rnbq1rk1/pp1npppp/3pb3/4p3/1P1P2b1/P1N1PN2/1BQ2PPP/R3K2R w KQ - 0 11|arrows|g4e2 d7b6|squares|e5 ]]Themes to notice: Black releases the central tension with …e5, fixes the pawn on b4, and keeps the g4-bishop active. White must decide whether to chase the bishop at the cost of weakening dark squares.
Practical Tips
- For White: Do not rush to drive the bishop away; completing development with Be2, O-O and d3/e3 often yields a healthy structure.
- For Black: Time the …e5 or …c5 break so that the g4-bishop remains protected. If White plays h3, consider trading on f3 followed by …Nbd7–b6 to probe the b4-pawn.
Interesting Facts
- The opening move 1. b4 was nicknamed the “Orangutan” after Savielly Tartakower supposedly discussed the move with an orangutan at the Bronx Zoo during the 1924 New York tournament.
- Because the g4-bishop pins a knight rather than the usual f-pawn, some blitz aficionados call the line the “Trompowsky-in-Reverse.”
- In correspondence chess, engines confirm that the quiet 4. a3!? followed by h3 and c4 scores over 60 % for White, showing that the variation is far from a refutation of 1. b4.