Polish: 1.b4 e5 2.Bb2 Bxb4 is variation 5 of 6 in the Against the Bird, Larsen, Polish and Grob course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO A00). It runs 16 moves and begins 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. Nf3 O-O …. Black takes the b4 pawn. After White takes on e5 the knight on f6 blocks the bishop's line to g7. Black castles, takes the centre with ...d5 and ...c5, and is ahead in development. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. b4 – The Polish Opening, also called the Sokolsky. White grabs space on the queenside.
1... e5 – Black takes the centre and attacks the b4 pawn with the f8 bishop.
2. Bb2 – White attacks e5.
2... Bxb4 – Black takes the pawn.
3. Bxe5 – White takes the e5 pawn. Now the bishop looks at the g7 pawn.
3... Nf6 – The only good move. The knight blocks the bishop's line to g7 and develops.
4. Nf3 – White develops.
4... O-O – Black castles first.
5. e3 – White opens the f1 bishop.
5... d5 – Black takes the centre. Black is ahead in development.
6. Be2 – White gets ready to castle.
6... c5 – Black takes even more space.
7. O-O – White castles.
7... Nc6 – Black develops with an attack on the e5 bishop.
8. Bb2 – The bishop goes back.
8... Re8 – The rook takes the e-file. Black has a big centre and easy play.
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