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Polish Defense Deferred

The Polish Defense is the name commonly given to one of several sequences of chess opening moves characterized by an early ...b5 by Black (see algebraic notation). These include

1.d4 b5

which is generally considered dubious, and

1.Nf3 Nf6

2.g3 b5

(sometimes called the Polish Defense Deferred), which is considered sounder because White is pretty much committed to fianchettoing his king bishop, making 3.e4 much less strong than 1.d4 b5 2.e4 is. The name "Polish Defense" is given by analogy to the so-called Polish Opening, 1.b4.

Boris Spassky played 1.d4 b5 against Tigran Petrosian in the decisive 22nd game of their world championship match in 1966. The opening was unsuccessful: Petrosian won the game, thus ensuring that he would retain his title. 1.d4 b5 is closely related to the St. George Defense (1.e4 a6, usually followed by 2.d4 b5) into which it often transposes.

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 b5 is a fully respectable opening that has been played with success by former World Champion Anatoly Karpov, among others. It prepares to fianchetto Black's queen bishop and prevents White from playing the otherwise desirable c4.