ECO A00 · Polish Opening

Polish Opening

1. b4

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

1… e5−0.35

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Polish Opening (A00), reached after 1. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.35).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.351… e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3
  2. −0.231… Nf6 2. Bb2 d5 3. a3 e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. bxc5 Bxc5 6. e3
  3. −0.221… d5 2. Bb2 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. a3 c5 5. bxc5 Bxc5 6. e3

All Polish Opening variations (24)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Polish Opening?
After 1. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black, continuing 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3. Black is slightly better (−0.35). The next best moves are 1… Nf6 (−0.23) and 1… d5 (−0.22).
Is the Polish Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.35: black is slightly 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 Opening?
A00. 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+).