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Looking for 1. b4 study material

oiiaiaoiiia

I wanna play the polish opening, does anyone know some good study material for it?

I wanna play the polish opening, does anyone know some good study material for it?
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lizaniedited

1 b4 e5 2 Bb2 Bxb4 3 Bxe5 Nf6 is the critical line. Study Carlsen's games as white. He plays Bxf6 later and aims to transpose to a Queen's Gambit structure. 2 a3 is an interesting option, playing the St George with reversed colours and an extra tempo.
1 b4 d5 is similar to 1 b3 d5 except your pawn is more advanced. If black plays c5 , take bxc5 and you have more centre pawns.
1 b4 Nf6 2 Bb2 g6 is what KID fans like. Play 3 c4 like Reti, also a favourite of Smyslov.
Look in a database for games by Sokolsky, a 1 b4 pioneer and indeed some call the move Sokolsky's opening.

1 b4 e5 2 Bb2 Bxb4 3 Bxe5 Nf6 is the critical line. Study Carlsen's games as white. He plays Bxf6 later and aims to transpose to a Queen's Gambit structure. 2 a3 is an interesting option, playing the St George with reversed colours and an extra tempo. 1 b4 d5 is similar to 1 b3 d5 except your pawn is more advanced. If black plays c5 , take bxc5 and you have more centre pawns. 1 b4 Nf6 2 Bb2 g6 is what KID fans like. Play 3 c4 like Reti, also a favourite of Smyslov. Look in a database for games by Sokolsky, a 1 b4 pioneer and indeed some call the move Sokolsky's opening.
ChessPriyome

Play the Orangutan: 1.b4: A fresh, fun opening repertoire for White by Carsen Hansen and Michael Basman

Carsen Hansen is a product of chessbase.
Basman was known a premier player of the Sokolsky. This book tries to address all of black's replies.

It looks fun and recommended by A.I. (sorry you stuck ups - there, credit given...) and a kindle version for $8, it's hard to go wrong for a relatively modern book [2021, updated in 2025] of 177 pages.

Play the Orangutan: 1.b4: A fresh, fun opening repertoire for White by Carsen Hansen and Michael Basman Carsen Hansen is a product of chessbase. Basman was known a premier player of the Sokolsky. This book tries to address all of black's replies. It looks fun and recommended by A.I. (sorry you stuck ups - there, credit given...) and a kindle version for $8, it's hard to go wrong for a relatively modern book [2021, updated in 2025] of 177 pages.
whatismymainbro

I remember a book on it, i think it was called Play 1. b4

I remember a book on it, i think it was called Play 1. b4
TheDifferenceOfTier5

Play 1.b4! by Yury Lapshun and Nick Conticello

Play 1.b4! by Yury Lapshun and Nick Conticello
tpr

Here is a flawless ICCF correspondence game with it

https://lichess.org/RLxXewzy#4

Here is a flawless ICCF correspondence game with it https://lichess.org/RLxXewzy#4
ChessPriyome

@whatismymainbro said ^

I remember a book on it, i think it was called Play 1. b4!

Publication date : June 17, 2008, a bit outdated. Ancient by opening standards.

@whatismymainbro said [^](/forum/redirect/post/9IfaAr0m) > I remember a book on it, i think it was called Play 1. b4! Publication date : June 17, 2008, **a bit outdated. Ancient by opening standards.**
Toscaniedited

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._b4

If White does not take control of the center, Black can do so instead. After 1. b4 e5, Black takes the center in a way that White could have done on the first move.

In this sense, the roles are somewhat reversed: White has chosen to fight for space on the queenside, while Black takes control of the center with ...e5.

So after 1. b4 e5, Black has effectively taken over the central-control role that White normally claims in the opening.

https://lichess.org/opening/Polish_Opening/b4_e5_Bb2

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._b4 If White does not take control of the center, Black can do so instead. After 1. b4 e5, Black takes the center in a way that White could have done on the first move. In this sense, the roles are somewhat reversed: White has chosen to fight for space on the queenside, while Black takes control of the center with ...e5. So after 1. b4 e5, Black has effectively taken over the central-control role that White normally claims in the opening. https://lichess.org/opening/Polish_Opening/b4_e5_Bb2