Want to Confuse Your Opponents: Play 1. b4!

I’m probably the only player in the local club who occasionally plays 1. b4.  The opening has several names:  Sokolsky, Polish Opening, Orangutan and 1. b4.

The first time I saw the opening played was in Germany.  I played a team blitz tournament with my German friends.  One of my teammates, Sven, played it with amazing results. 

Several years later I decided to give it a try.  I’ve had some excellent results with it.  Most people, even the higher-rated players don’t know how to deal with it.   The ideas are easy to learn.

Here’s a game where I beat a higher-rated player on ICC in a 5 min game.  I was very lucky because my opponent missed 14…Nd3+ after which I would have resigned.

Playing 1. b4 Against a Higher-Rated Opponent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Bh1M60R1I&feature=player_embedded