Polish Opening Schiffler Sokolsky Variation
Polish Opening (1. b4)
Definition
The Polish Opening is a flank opening that begins with the move 1. b4. By immediately advancing the b-pawn, White stakes a claim to the c5-square, prepares a queenside fianchetto with Bb2, and sidesteps the mass of opening theory that surrounds 1.e4 and 1.d4. In English-language literature the system is often called the “Orangutan”, while in Eastern Europe it is widely known as the “Sokolsky Opening”, after the Ukrainian theoretician IM Alexey Pavlovich Sokolsky.
Strategic Ideas
- Queenside space and pressure. The pawn on b4 cramps Black’s options on the queenside and supports an eventual c2-c4 advance.
- Long-diagonal bishop. After 2.Bb2 (the most common follow-up), White’s dark-squared bishop exerts latent pressure on e5, g7 and sometimes h8.
- Unbalanced pawn structure. Because the b-pawn is advanced so early, the structure is asymmetrical from the very first move, leading to original middlegames.
- Flexible king placement. White can castle either side; 0-0 is common after Nf3 and g2-g3, but long castling can also appear after an early c4 and Qa4.
Historical & Anecdotal Notes
GM Savielly Tartakower famously unveiled 1.b4 at the New York 1924 tournament. Legend has it that he had spent the previous day at the Bronx Zoo and was inspired by an orangutan named “Susan”, hence the English nickname. The move later became a signature weapon of IM Alexey Sokolsky, who wrote the seminal monograph “1.b4” in 1963. Modern grandmasters such as Richard Rapport, Hikaru Nakamura and Baadur Jobava have revived the opening as an occasional surprise.
Illustrative Mini-Game
In this five-move skirmish (a starting point for the Sokolsky Variation, covered below) White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and central play.
Common Defences for Black (Move 1…)
- 1…e5 – The most principled, testing the pawn and entering many Sokolsky-type lines.
- 1…d5 – Challenges the centre without immediate material grabs; 2.Bb2 is main line.
- 1…Nf6 – Flexible; can transpose to the Schiffler ideas after …e6 or …d5.
- 1…c6 – A Caro-Kann-style approach, preparing …d5 with a solid structure.
When to Use
The Polish is ideal for players who enjoy off-beat, strategically rich positions, are willing to accept occasional theoretical “ambushes”, and want to take opponents out of booked-up main-line preparation as early as move one.
Schiffler Variation (within the Polish Opening)
Definition
The Schiffler Variation is a counter-system for Black that arises after:
1. b4 Nf6 2.Bb2 e6 3.b5 d5 4.e3 c5
Named after the Austrian master Julius Schiffler, it combines hyper-modern restraint with timely central breaks, aiming to exploit the looseness of White’s advanced b- and b5-pawns.
Key Strategic Themes
- Central Counter-thrust. Black prepares …c5 and sometimes …e5, striking at the dark-squared bishop’s long diagonal and challenging White’s queenside expansion.
- Minor-piece activity. Knights often land on c6 and e4, eyeing c3 and d2. The light-squared bishop can emerge on d6 or e7, pressuring the h2-b8 diagonal.
- Pawn lever tug-of-war. White wants c2-c4 to cement space; Black counters with …a6 and …c5, trying to prove the b-pawns are over-extended.
Typical Continuation
After 10 moves both sides have their trumps: White enjoys queenside space and a powerful Bb2, while Black is harmoniously placed and pressuring the pawn chain.
Practical Usage
The Schiffler Variation is favored by players who relish dynamic equality rather than immediate confrontation (compare with the sharper Sokolsky line). It has been essayed by solid grandmasters such as Gata Kamsky and Jan-Timman when surprised by 1.b4.
Sokolsky (or Schiffler–Sokolsky) Variation
Definition
The Sokolsky Variation—sometimes called the Schiffler–Sokolsky Variation when crediting both analysts—arises after the immediate material grab:
1. b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 3.Bxe5 Nf6 4.Nf3
White offers the b-pawn to accelerate development while luring Black’s dark-squared bishop off the a3–f8 diagonal. The line embodies Alexey Sokolsky’s aggressive approach to 1.b4 and was also heavily analyzed by Julius Schiffler, hence the double-barrel name.
Why It Works
- Lead in development. After regaining the pawn on e5, White has two pieces developed to Black’s one and is ready for kingside castling.
- Central presence. The bishop on e5 and knight on f3 combine to make d4 and c4 breaks potent.
- Bishop misplacement. Black’s bishop on b4 can become a tactical target after c2-c3 or a2-a3.
Main Line Snapshot
In this current main line, Black tries to justify the extra space created by …d5 and …c5. White often goes for d2-d4 or c4xd5, relying on piece activity to maintain the initiative.
Important Sub-Variations
- 4…Nc6 5.Bb2 – Black develops naturally; the game may transpose to reversed Nimzo-Indian structures.
- 4…Qe7 5.Be2 d5 – Black aims for rapid central liquidation, but the queen can become a target of Nd2-b3 ideas.
- 4…0-0 5.c4 – White clamps the centre; if Black plays …d5, the resulting IQP positions favor the better-developed side.
Historical & Modern Practice
IM Sokolsky employed the variation with notable success in post-war Soviet tournaments. A frequently cited model game is Sokolsky vs. Larsen, Minsk 1954, where White’s rapid c2-c4 break left Black’s extra pawn irrelevant. In modern times the line remains a dangerous surprise weapon. GM Richard Rapport’s blitz victory over GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Saint-Louis 2019) is a spectacular showcase: after 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 3.Bxe5 Nf6 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bb2 d5?! 6.e3 White’s activity soon overwhelmed Black’s defences.
Practical Tips
- Do not cling to the extra pawn as Black; be ready to return material for development.
- As White, memorize key tactical motifs (c2-c3 traps, a2-a3 chasing the bishop) rather than long forcing lines.
- Time trouble favors the side with the easier plan—here, that is usually White.