1...e5 is the most popular response to 1.b4, and as such as a Sokolsky player, understanding these lines is tantamount to being successful as a 1.b4 player, and as such, I figured I would write this up to explore the various responses black has in the 1...e5 lines.

#1 Exchange Polish

The Exchange polish is 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6, trading your B pawn for their E pawn, in return for better development a la the open Sicilian, and this is by far the most common line you will see. At the end of 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 you have a choice to make 4. Nf3, 4. e3, 4. c4.

Notable Games:

https://www.chess.com/games/view/14442413

https://www.chess.com/games/view/13427423

https://www.chess.com/games/view/1112804

https://www.chess.com/games/view/13416035

https://www.chess.com/games/view/654067

#2 Czech Defense

The Czech defense is 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 d6 3. c4 and is an attempt for black to build a solid center and win positionally, it's modest with black only equalizing rather than trying to get an advantage with imbalances like the exchange variation or taratkower gambit.

Notable games:

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1325202

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1091046

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1325205

#3 Tartakower Gambit

The Tartakower Gambit is 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 f6 3. e4 and is an attempt by white to gambit away the B Pawn to gain the initiative, and then if they take it play Bc4, there really isn't a lot to say about this variation because its just straight-up good for white, with a 57% win rate in all the Master's Games on Chess.com

Notable Games:

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1557915

https://www.chess.com/games/view/13837

https://www.chess.com/games/view/120499

https://www.chess.com/games/view/14007631

Polish/Sokolsky Opening Stars!!

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