Polish Opening and Czech Defense
Polish Opening (also called the “Orangutan”)
Definition
The Polish Opening is the flank opening that begins with the move 1. b4 by White. It belongs to the family of irregular openings (ECO code A00) and seeks rapid queenside expansion and long-diagonal pressure rather than immediate occupation of the centre.
Initial Moves & Typical Position
1. b4 — White advances the b-pawn two squares, usually followed by 2. Bb2, 3. e3, and queenside pawn storms (a2–a4, c2–c4). A common tabiya after 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 leaves both sides with asymmetrical pawn structures and open diagonals.
Strategic Ideas
- Queenside space: The pawn on b4 supports a later a2–a4 advance, gaining more territory and discouraging …c5 breaks.
- Long diagonal pressure: After Bb2, White’s bishop eyes the sensitive e5 and h1–a8 squares. If Black plays …e5 early, the piece activity can become annoying.
- Delayed central clash: White often postpones d2–d4 or e2–e4, trying to provoke a premature central commitment by Black.
- Traps: Greedy attempts such as 1. …e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4? 3. Bxe5! fork the queen and bishop.
Historical Notes
The nickname “Orangutan” comes from Saviely Tartakower, who, after a visit to the Bronx Zoo’s orangutan “Susan” during the 1924 New York tournament, played 1. b4 against Géza Maróczy, saying he was inspired by the primate’s “long arms.” The earlier name “Polish” honours a group of pre-WWI Polish masters such as Dawid Przepiórka who employed the opening in Warsaw coffee-houses.
Illustrative Game
While long and scrappy, the game shows typical themes: a5/b4 pawn storm, the Bb2 pressure, and a central break occurring only around move 20.
Modern Usage
The Polish remains a surprise weapon rather than a main-line choice at elite level. Creative grandmasters such as Richard Rapport and Baadur Jobava have used it in rapid or blitz with success, banking on its psychological value.
Interesting Facts
- In some languages the opening is called the “Sokolsky Opening” after the Russian master Alexey Sokolsky, who wrote a monograph on 1. b4 in 1963.
- Against computer engines, the Polish scores surprisingly well in bullet games because the machine must calculate unusual pawn structures from move one.
- The reversed form (…b5 by Black) is found in the Queen’s Indian, Benko Gambit, and the Polish Defense (for Black), illustrating the mirror-image nature of flank openings.
Czech Defense (often called the “Czech Benoni”)
Definition
The Czech Defense is a solid, closed variation of the Benoni family arising after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5. Instead of the usual Benoni pawn break …e6, Black locks the centre with …e5, creating a structure reminiscent of the King’s Indian, but with a pawn on c5.
Move-Order Map
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. c4 c5
- 3. d5 e5 (Czech Benoni core)
- 4. Nc3 d6
- 5. e4 Be7 (or …g6 and …Bg7)
The same structure can be reached via 1. d4 c5 2. d5 e5 or even 1. d4 e5?! 2. d5 c5, but the Nf6 move-order is most common.
Strategic Themes
- Locked centre: With pawns on d5/e4 (White) vs. d6/e5 (Black), pawn breaks are paramount. White eyes f4 or b4; Black hopes for …f5, …g6, or a later …b5.
- Piece manoeuvres: Knights swing to d2/f1/g3 (White) and d7/f8/h7 (Black). Because pawn tension is frozen, manoeuvring skill outweighs concrete calculation.
- Space vs. solidity: White enjoys more space, but Black’s structure is almost impossible to crack without a pawn break.
- Transition plans: If Black achieves …f5 under good circumstances, the game often transposes to favourable King’s Indian attacks.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
The line was popularised in Prague and other Czechoslovak tournaments in the 1920s, hence the name. In the late 1960s grandmasters Luděk Pachman and Vlastimil Hort used it as a surprise weapon against more aggressive Benoni specialists. Although overtaken by the Modern Benoni and the Benko Gambit in popularity, the Czech Defense remains a respected, theory-lite alternative.
Illustrative Games
- Hort – Fischer, Siegen Olympiad 1970: Fischer adopted the Czech structure via a King’s Indian move-order, drew comfortably, and later annotated the game as “solid for Black.”
- Adams – Topalov, Linares 2005: Topalov’s 20…f5! break showed modern dynamic handling, equalising against the well-prepared English grandmaster.
You can play through a crisp miniature below.
Current Standing in Opening Theory
At top level, the Czech Defense appears mostly in rapid or blitz. It is still a favourite of players who like closed, strategic battles without having to memorise razor-sharp Modern Benoni theory. Engines rate the starting position as +0.40 to +0.60 for White, but practical results are roughly even.
Interesting Facts
- Because the centre is locked, endgames where only one minor piece remains often favour Black; his pawns on dark squares leave the light-squared bishop unopposed.
- Many King’s Indian Defence players adopt the Czech Benoni move-order to avoid the Sämisch or Four Pawns Attack.
- The Dutch grandmaster Jan Timman wrote that the Czech Defense “teaches patience like few other openings; one careless advance and the whole fortress cracks.”