Polish Opening: Outflank Variation

Polish Opening: Outflank Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code A00, part of the Polish Opening family. It goes 1. b4 c6. White opens with 1. b4 (the Polish move) and Black answers 1... c6. After 2 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. b4 – White plays the pawn to b4
• 1... c6 – Black plays the pawn to c6

About the Polish Opening

White starts with 1.b4, an offbeat flank move. The idea is Bb2 aiming at e5 and space on the queenside.

• Bb2 pressures e5 and the long diagonal.
• The b4 pawn is loose; ...e5 with ...Bxb4 can win it.
• It is rare at top level; it works best as a surprise.

Related openings

• It extends: Polish Opening (1. b4)
• Continues with: Polish Opening: Outflank Variation, Schuehler Gambit – adds 2. Bb2 a5 3. b5
• Related line: Polish Opening: Myers Variation (1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 c6 3. a4)
• Related line: Polish Opening: Outflank Variation, Schuehler Gambit (1. b4 c6 2. Bb2 a5 3. b5)
• Related line: Polish Opening: King's Indian Variation, Sokolsky Attack (1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. d4)
• Related line: Polish Opening: Queen's Indian Variation (1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 b6)
• Related line: Polish Opening: King's Indian Variation, Schiffler Attack (1. b4 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. e4)
• Related line: Polish Opening: Queenside Defense (1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 a6)

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