Polish Opening

The Polish Opening begins with 1.b4 : the pawn from b2 advances two squares. White gains space on the queenside, the half of the board where the queen starts, and prepares Bb2, developing the c1-bishop onto a long diagonal. The move does not occupy the center directly, so Black can respond by placing pawns on e5 or d5.

A typical plan is to use the bishop on b2 to pressure the b2-e5-h8 diagonal while the b-pawn maintains or gains more space. The drawback is visible immediately: the b4-pawn is farther from its original defenders and can become a target. If Black replies by moving the e7-pawn to e5, that move also clears the f8-bishop's diagonal toward b4, allowing the bishop to attack the advanced pawn quickly.

1.b4 gains space and creates a tactical exchange with ...e5

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Start

b4

e5

Bb2

Bxb4

Bxe5

The Polish begins away from the center

White seeks queenside space and a diagonal for the bishop.

The Larsen's Opening also prepares a bishop on b2, but begins with 1.b3. That one-square advance is more restrained and claims less space. The Grob Opening uses a superficially similar wing-pawn idea on the other side with 1.g4, but the cost to king safety is much greater.