Polish Opening: Kucharkowski & Meybohm Gambit
Polish Opening (also called the Sokolsky or Orangutan)
Definition
The Polish Opening is the flank opening that begins with 1. b4. By pushing the b-pawn two squares, White intends to fianchetto the queen’s bishop on b2 and exert long-range pressure on the central dark squares, especially e5 and d4. In ECO it is classified under the code A00.
How it is used in play
- Development scheme: Bb2, e3 (or g3), Nf3, a3 and sometimes c4 are common follow-ups. White often delays occupying the centre with pawns, relying instead on piece pressure.
- Choice of structure: The opening can transpose into reversed Queen’s Gambit positions after …d5 and c4, or into certain lines of the English after …c5 and g3.
- Psychological weapon: Because 1. b4 is infrequent at master level, it can steer the game away from an opponent’s preparation.
Strategic and historical significance
The name “Orangutan” originates from the 1924 New York tournament. Savielly Tartakower claimed he was inspired to play 1. b4 after visiting the Bronx Zoo and “consulting” an orangutan named Susan! The game (Tartakower – Maróczy, New York 1924) ended in a draw and instantly gave the move a place in chess folklore.
The opening gained analytical attention through the work of the Ukrainian grandmaster Alexey Sokolsky, whose 1963 monograph firmly established modern theory. Although rarely chosen by elite players in classical time-controls, it appears regularly in rapid, blitz and correspondence events where surprise value is at a premium.
Illustrative example
In this stylised position White has:
- A powerful bishop on b2 bearing down the a1–h8 diagonal.
- Queenside space with a3, b4 and c4.
- The possibility of breaking in the centre with e4 once development is complete.
Interesting facts
- When former world champion Magnus Carlsen wanted to avoid theory against Wesley So (Paris Rapid & Blitz 2021), he opened with 1.b4 and won an instructive game.
- On Chess.com the move is sometimes jokingly called the “Botez Gambit declined” because it voluntarily moves the b-pawn rather than hanging the queen!
Kucharkowski (Kucharkowski Variation of the Polish Opening)
Definition
The Kucharkowski Variation arises after the moves 1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Qd6 (or the related 2…Bf5 3.e3 e6 4.g4!?). It is named for the little-known Polish analyst Jan Kucharkowski, who investigated these ideas in local magazines in the 1930 s.
Key ideas and usage
- Unusual queen development: Black’s early …Qd6 defends the b4-bishop capture and eyes the b4-pawn, but commits the queen early, inviting tempi-gaining tricks such as a4 or c4.
- Central flexibility vs. kingside lunge: White may continue quietly with e3 & Nf3, but the romantic line 3.e4!? dxe4 4.Nc3 f5 5.g4!? (the “Kucharkowski Pawn Storm”) sacrifices material for a huge lead in development.
- Practical value: Because theory is sparse, both sides are quickly on their own. The variation is therefore popular with club-level Polish Opening aficionados looking to surprise their opponents.
Example line
The position is double-edged: Black’s queen is slightly awkward, while White’s queenside majority and central pawn thrusts promise long-term pressure.
Historical and theoretical notes
Although no top-level games feature the exact 2…Qd6 move order, the setup has surfaced in correspondence databases with a respectable score for White. Kucharkowski’s original analysis (Polish magazine “Szachista”, 1937) recommended sacrificing a pawn with g4 to destabilise Black’s centre—a concept decades ahead of its time.
Fun trivia
- Because the queen on d6 sometimes falls victim to a discovered attack, Polish club players jokingly call the line “The Queen in the Crosswalk.”
- A modern streamer once introduced the variation as “the b4 way of playing Scandinavian with colours reversed”—a catchy if technically imprecise slogan that nonetheless illustrates the mood of the position.
Meybohm Gambit (in the Polish Opening)
Definition
The Meybohm Gambit occurs after 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. f4!? when White offers a second pawn (after …exf4) to obtain an open f-file, rapid development and pressure on the exposed black king. The line is named after the German correspondence master Julius Meybohm, who pioneered it in postal play at the turn of the 20th century.
Main line
One typical continuation runs:
Material is level, yet:
- White’s bishops rake across both long diagonals.
- Black’s queen is exposed and the king is still in the centre.
- The half-open f-file gives White lasting attacking chances.
Strategic themes
- Initiative over material: White counts on piece activity and coordination to compensate for structural defects (isolated g-pawn, airy king).
- King safety: Black must tread carefully; premature …Nf6 can run into Bg2–f3 ideas pinning the queen, while castling long may be slow.
- Endgame prospects: If the queens come off without further damage, Black’s extra pawn usually tells—hence White tends to keep the position sharp.
Historical footprint
The gambit enjoyed a cult following among German postal players between 1905 and 1930. One of the earliest surviving letters from Meybohm contains the comment: “Zwei Bauern? Wenn ich den König erwische, ist keiner mehr da!” (“Two pawns? If I catch the king, none will remain!”)
While contemporary engine evaluations hover around 0.00 with perfect defence, practical results in over-the-board blitz still favour the attacking side.
Notable miniature
White’s queen and knight finish the game in brilliant fashion, showcasing the gambit’s attacking potential.
Interesting facts
- The spelling alternates between “Meybohm” and “Meyboom” in older sources because the Hamburg publisher who first typeset the games mis-read the author’s handwriting.
- In bullet chess the move order 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 3.f4 is sometimes called “the Boomerang” because the bishop on b4 often comes under attack and must retreat, thereby wasting the tempo initially gained by capturing on b4.