St George Defense - Chess Opening
St George Defense
Definition
The St George Defense is an unorthodox Black opening characterized by the early advance of the a-pawn (…a6) and usually …b5 against 1. e4 or 1. d4. The most common move order is:
1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5
Black immediately challenges White’s centre from the flank, hoping to build pressure on the long light-squared diagonal after …Bb7 and to delay committing the king’s pawn structure. Because it often concedes the centre in order to undermine it later, the St George is sometimes compared to a reversed Benko Gambit.
Standard Move Orders & Main Ideas
- 1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5 3. Nf3 Bb7
Black attacks e4 and prepares …e6 or …g6, developing harmoniously behind the queenside pawns. - 1. d4 a6 2. c4 b5 (sometimes called the English Defence). The strategic concepts mirror the 1. e4 lines, but Black often combines …Bb7 with a quick …e6 and …c5.
- If White refrains from occupying the centre, Black may play …d5 in one move, transposing into a hybrid French/Slav structure.
Strategic Themes
- Flank pressure on the centre: …b5–b4 can chase a knight from c3 and open the b-file.
- Fianchettoed bishop: …Bb7 targets e4 and d5; in many lines it becomes Black’s most powerful piece.
- Flexible pawn breaks: Depending on White’s setup, Black can choose …c5, …d5, or even …f5 (!?) to strike back.
- King safety: Because …a6 and …b5 leave the queenside airy, Black usually castles kingside and counts on rapid piece activity for compensation.
Historical Background
The defence takes its name from the 19th-century St George Chess Club in London, where it was reportedly championed by club players such as John Baker (hence the older name Baker’s Defense). Interest waned until the 1970s, when English IM Michael Basman began using it in master play.
The opening’s modern fame, however, is forever linked to GM Tony Miles, who stunned World Champion Anatoly Karpov with it at the 1980 European Team Championship in Skara. Miles’ upset victory instantly put the St George on the theoretical map and established it as a dangerous surprise weapon.
Famous Illustrative Game
Below is a shortened version of the Karpov–Miles encounter. The full score is a model for Black’s counterplay on the queenside and central dark squares.
Karpov–Miles, Skara 1980: 1–0 (full score above). The early queenside advance surprised the World Champion, and Miles exploited the dark-square weaknesses to score a historic win.
Typical Plans for Black
- Queenside expansion: …b5-b4 to create targets and open lines for rooks.
- Central counterstrike: After provoking e4–e5 or d4–d5, Black undermines with …c5 or …f6/e6.
- Piece activity over structure: Knights often travel to c4 or e5; bishops eye the long diagonals while rooks occupy the b- and c-files.
Usage in Modern Practice
The St George remains a rare but respected choice at master level. It is especially popular in rapid and blitz, where surprise value is amplified. Contemporary exponents include Michael Basman, GM Marc Quenehen, and various online specialists who relish off-beat openings.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Tony Miles allegedly chose the defence against Karpov because he wanted “something Karpov had definitely not prepared for.” His second joked that Miles picked it while lying in bed the night before the game.
- In a later interview Miles quipped, “The best thing about 1…a6 is that it stops White from playing the St George!”
- Because of the early …a6, players sometimes nickname their a-pawn “George.” If it reaches a3 or a4 later in the game, some joke that “George has gone on an adventure.”
- Basman has written entire books on the opening and used to lecture wearing a St George’s-cross tie for dramatic effect.
Practical Tips
- Be ready to sacrifice a pawn or two for activity; static equality is rarely the goal.
- Study thematic piece placements: the light-square bishop belongs on b7, the queen often heads to b6 or a5.
- Avoid automatic central pawn pushes as White; Black thrives on targets.
- If you enjoy the French or the Pirc, you can often steer the St George toward familiar structures.
In summary, the St George Defense is a provocative, strategically rich opening that rewards creativity and a taste for asymmetrical positions. Its colourful history—capped by Miles’ legendary victory—ensures that it will always have a place in the repertoire of adventurous players.