ECO A40 · Polish Defense

Polish Defense

1. d4 b5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2. e4+0.93

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Polish Defense (A40), reached after 1. d4 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.93).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.932. e4 Bb7 3. Nd2 a6 4. a4 b4 5. Bd3 e6 6. Nb3 Nf6
  2. +0.892. Nd2 Bb7 3. e4 a6 4. a4 b4 5. Bd3 e6 6. Ngf3 c5
  3. +0.712. a4 b4 3. e4 e6 4. Nd2 Bb7 5. Ngf3 Nf6 6. e5 Ne4

All Polish Defense variations (1)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Polish Defense?
After 1. d4 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e4 for White, continuing Bb7 3. Nd2 a6 4. a4 b4 5. Bd3 e6 6. Nb3 Nf6. White is clearly better (+0.93). The next best moves are 2. Nd2 (+0.89) and 2. a4 (+0.71).
Is the Polish Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.93: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Polish Defense?
A40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).