Polish: 1...d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3
Polish: 1…d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3
Definition
The phrase “Polish: 1…d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3” refers to a specific branch of the Polish (or Sokolsky / Orangutan) Opening that begins with 1.b4. In this line Black replies symmetrically with 1…d5, White fianchettoes the queen’s bishop with 2.Bb2, Black develops a knight to f6, and White supports the b4-pawn and prepares central expansion with 3.e3. The complete move order is:
1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3
How it is used in chess
Players who choose 1.b4 aim to:
- Take opponents out of mainstream theory early.
- Control the c5-square and exert long-range pressure on the g1–a7 diagonal.
- Create imbalanced pawn structures that can lead to original middlegames.
After Black’s natural 1…d5, the line 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3 is one of White’s most solid continuations. By playing 3.e3 White:
- Protects the b4-pawn (so …Qb6 or …a5 ideas do not win it).
- Opens a path for the dark-squared bishop to d3 or e2.
- Prepares c2–c4 to challenge the center or Nc3 to bolster the b-pawn.
Black, meanwhile, has a full share of the center and easy development (…e6, …Be7, …O-O). The resulting positions are equal objectively, but rich in strategic possibilities.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: White often delays c2–c4 until the moment is ripe, hoping to undermine d5 at the right time.
- Minor-piece Battles: White’s Bb2 and Black’s Bf8 or Bb4 (after …e6 and …Bd6/Bxb4) engage in long-diagonal duels.
- Queenside Space vs. Structural Solidarity: The pawn on b4 can cramp Black’s queenside but is itself a long-term target.
- Flexible Castling: White can castle kingside, but sometimes delays to keep options open for a later g-pawn advance or even queenside castling.
Historical Significance
• The nickname “Orangutan” stems from Savielly Tartakower who, during the
1924 New York tournament, is said to have visited the Bronx Zoo, asked an
orangutan for opening advice, and then played 1.b4 against Géza
Maróczy the next day.
• While never a main-stream opening, 1.b4 has been employed by creative
grandmasters such as Tartakower, Spassky, and in modern
times Richard Rapport and Baadur Jobava.
• The sub-line with 3.e3 was popularized in correspondence chess where
soundness is paramount.
Illustrative Example
The following miniature shows typical ideas for both sides:
Key take-aways:
- White has expanded on the queenside (b4–b5, a4) and keeps the option of c4xd5 to open lines for Bb2.
- Black has a classical pawn center, harmonious piece placement, and no structural weaknesses.
Typical Continuations
- 3…e6 4.b5 c5 – Black grabs space in the center; White undermines via c4 or d4 later.
- 3…Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 – Both sides develop quietly; the game often transposes into reversed Slav structures.
- 3…a5 4.b5 c6 – Black immediately questions the b-pawn and tries to seize the a-file.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Grandmaster Thomas Henry – “Harry” – Holloway once said he played 1.b4 “for the devilment of it,” echoing the opening’s reputation for mischief.
- The AI engine AlphaZero, when allowed self-play, experimented with 1.b4 on occasion, suggesting there may be hidden depths still to be discovered.
- Because the line can transpose into a reversed Dutch, some players call it “the Dutch with an extra tempo,” though that tempo is offset by the b-pawn’s advance.
When to Use It
Choose 1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3 if you:
- Prefer side lines where your opponent cannot rely on 30-move engines lines from the main-line Ruy López.
- Enjoy positional maneuvering with occasional tactical shots on the long diagonal.
- Are comfortable defending the b-pawn in the early middlegame.
Conclusion
The Polish line 1…d5 2.Bb2 Nf6 3.e3 is objectively sound and strategically rich. While it rarely promises an opening advantage, it frequently delivers an unfamiliar position after only three moves—valuable ammunition for creative players willing to study its subtleties.