St. George Defense: Polish Variation
St. George Defense: Polish Variation
Definition
The St. George Defense: Polish Variation is an unorthodox response to 1. e4 that begins with the moves 1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5. Black immediately seizes space on the queenside with …b5, echoing the concept of the Polish (or Orang-Utan) Opening (1. b4), but from the Black side and one tempo down. Classified under ECO code B00, it is a branch of the St. George Defense (1. e4 a6) that specifically adopts the early …b5 set-up.
Move Order & Typical Position
The critical starting sequence is:
- 1. e4 a6
- 2. d4 b5 (Polish Variation)
- 3. Nf3 Bb7
- 4. Bd3 e6
After these moves Black has fianchettoed the dark-squared bishop on b7, staked a claim to the c4-square, and kept the central pawn structure flexible (…d7-d6 or …c7-c5 are typical next moves). White, meanwhile, enjoys a classical pawn center and a lead in development.
Strategic Ideas
- Queenside space & piece pressure – The advance …b5 gains territory, prepares …c5, and opens the long diagonal for the b7-bishop to eye e4.
- Hypermodern influence – Black invites White to build a broad pawn center (pawns on e4 & d4) that can later be undermined with pawn breaks such as …c5, …e6, and …d5.
- Development lag – Because Black invests two moves in flank pawns (…a6, …b5), quick development and central open lines by White (e.g., c2-c4, a2-a4) may lead to an initiative. Accurate, flexible play is therefore essential for Black.
- King safety – Black often castles queenside (…O-O-O) after …e6, …d6, and …Nf6, using the expanded queenside as a shield. Alternatively, Black may castle kingside and push …c5 to chip away at d4.
Historical Notes
• The St. George Defense rose to fame when GM Tony Miles stunned
reigning World Champion Anatoly Karpov at Skara 1980 with 1. e4 a6.
Miles’ victory popularized the name “St. George.”
• The specific Polish Variation (…b5) predates Miles, appearing in games as early as the late 19th century, but
it lacked a consistent following because mainstream theory judged the center-conceding flank forays risky.
• Modern engines assign the line a modest but playable score for Black (≈ +0.6 for White at depth-35),
so it remains a viable surprise weapon, especially in rapid or blitz.
Illustrative Game
Below is a compact example that demonstrates typical ideas for both sides:
Played online (2021, rapid), the game shows how Black strikes at the center with …c5 and …d5, while White leverages rapid piece mobilization to open lines toward the king.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Shakespearean naming: The defense honors St. George, England’s patron saint, reflecting its association with English grandmaster Tony Miles.
- From zoo to battlefield: The “Polish” label stems from 1. b4 being nicknamed the “Orang-Utan,” inspired by a Warsaw Zoo visit by Savielly Tartakower in 1924. The same b-pawn thrust from Black’s side attracts the shared zoological moniker.
- Engine-tested ambush: AlphaZero and other modern neural engines have experimented with early …a6-b5 setups in self-play, lending fresh theoretical ideas such as postponing …e6 in favor of …f5.
Related Openings & Transpositions
- St. George Defense – The broader family beginning with 1. e4 a6.
- Polish Defense – 1. d4 b5 or 1. b4 from White’s side.
- Owen's Defense – 1. e4 b6 aiming for …Bb7 without the …a6 sideline.
- French-like structures – After …e6 and …d5, positions can resemble the French Defense, but with Black’s queen-bishop already outside the pawn chain.
Practical Tips
- Against 3. c4 (immediate queenside challenge), be ready for the pawn sac 3…Bxe4!? 4. cxb5, when Black gains dynamic play for the pawn.
- Plan your king’s home early. If White plays Qg4/Qh5 lines, kingside castling can be dangerous; consider queenside safety.
- Timing of …c5. Striking too soon (before completing development) may open the position in White’s favor.