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.
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.
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
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