Any 1. b4 players out there?

I've taken an interest in this opening and was wondering if anyone has experience with it (more than playing it once!).

I'm guessing b4 is playable.

But I think against a better player, Black is guaranteed a better opening position. When Black opens 1. e5, what does White play to defend his pawn? 2. a3 has almost no bearing on the game, while 2. c3 takes away a good development square for the Knight.

Next Black gets to develop a piece, which is probably 2. Nf6, and now I think White is actually behind in tempo. It's almost as if Black went first. Does White play 3. Nf3? Black can now defend his pawn with Nc6, and follow it up with d5, and he now has a strong control of the center.

White's pawn is attacking c5 and a5, but those squares don't have any immediate impact on the game. Moreover, White spent TWO moves to set up this wasted attack. White isn't lost per se, it's just that against a better player, I think it's pretty obvious that Black is left with tempo and a better starting position from which to work towards the win. However, I'm sure if a grandmaster was feeling it, he could totally wreck me with 1. b4! :)

no, the sokoloski or polish opening 1.b4 is quite respectable. Used to play it myself. Playing only 1.e4 this year. Will play a few 1.b4's next year.

Any reader can make a note of this, and challenge me with 1.b4 starting pos. (me as white) NEXT year (15 jan 2009 or later). 10 days/move is okay, though I prefer 14 days/move. WILL NOT play faster time controls here. repeat:10 or 14 days/move.

Ah, the Sokolsky.  Always a pleasure to play, albeit slightly unusual.

Mnay fun variations with it, but I didn't take it very far.  I kinda regret it, now seeing how exciting it really is.

Any 1. b4 players out there? No.

I've played plenty of b4 players, however, they seem to only play it in "quick" live games.

As I said, I am willing to play it at 10 or 14 days per move. Is that too "quick" for you, theodred?

See my prev post.

if b4, then i play d5 a3 Qd3 Bb2 d5 with positional advantage for black, and i have won 80% of the games playing black 

1b4 e5 you can play b5 and get more queenside space its playable not ultra sharp winning but okay

Don't learn a new opening.  I don't care about the merits of b4, don't learn a new opening.

1. b4 is Worse than 1. e4.

I didnt say it was bad. It is worse.

So...why take the free $50 when there is a credit card worth $1000 on the ground right next to it (dont give me smart azz answers like "I dont have a pin number", just blow this idiots money on ebay)

Tricky and fun!

I love 1.b4 although never loosed with black otb before.

Feel free to challenge me for a Sokolsky game any time you want.

Personally, I would love to play a game like that. It seems like a very interesting opening.

I know a guy who plays it a lot, and its irritating cause I dont know how to play against it :(

(hes much better than me anyway though - and older :)

The Polish(Sokolsy/Oran-utan)opening has refreshed my chess playing,for I was losing patience with d4 or e4 and I discovered b4!

Now I'm trying the inns and outs of this beautiful opening that gives such good tactical positons for both sides!

lol, after having made the first comment, i played a guy in blitz who played b4:

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=9457350

...and another one - this one is mad with full of sacs :)

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=9457516

 Another possible line is 1. b4  d5  2. Bb2  Qd6  3. b5  e5  (if 3. ...Qb4 then 4. Bc3 Qb5  5. e4) or instead of 3. b5, play 3. a3  e5  4. Nf3

 Normally it would go 1. b4 e5  2. Bb2  Bb4 3. Be5 Nf6  4. c4  O-O;  White could also risk playing 3. f4 in the above line when 3. ... d6 is probably best.