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euro_pop_legend 12-May-23, 12:06	The Sokolsky Opening...1.b4 From my original club: gameknot.com Any comments or experiences with this opening,please add in whenever you want. The Sok has been refered to as the "reverse Grob".Nich de Firmian,a three time US chess champion has used it with some success. While it has some disadvantages like not placing immediate pressure on the center, its more of a patient waiting game and has much surprise value,especially in blitz.
euro_pop_legend 12-May-23, 12:14	Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 12-May-23, 12:42.
euro_pop_legend 09-Jun-23, 17:59	Continuation of the b4 opening While 9th in popularity,The Sokolsky still one of the most underrated irregular openings on the board.While certainly not the most trusted opening,it can be a good weapon for those opponents not familiar with it.Many brilliant games have been won with the Sokolsky or Polish Opening.There are many video's on the "Sok"that you can google.The Sok for white generally concentrates on blacks Q side for attacking,sometimes swift and decisive.Here is one video,however that works AGAINST the Sok for white!While I found this video recently,I have been using this particualr variation for years...both OTB,some prior games on GK CC and many,many times in GK blitz. www.youtube.com So...lets switch sides and look at a proper,but very obscure defense against the Sok for black. Now,what is great about 1.b4,a5 is that: 1.It equalizes quickly 2.Gives black a very "slight" edge in position 3.Comes as unexpected 4.And even more importantly....moves "out of book"quite rapidly!! I am going to plug in a few moves using Hiarcs Pro,not my polyglot custom book,because my book runs deeper than Hiarcs and has been customed designed by my IM friend and myself. The I will run my 12 core monster for a few moves and let BOTH SIDES play against one another!What program?This time...Komodo Dragon with full NNUE (Neural Network). I have set the analysis on infinite time controls,but will force a move after a few minutes. No need to run each move for more than a handful of minutes,due the high MB depth I am running. Lets see what happens,based partially upon that video above! Variation #1: 1.b4,a5 2.b5,Nf6 3.Bb2,d5 What is interesting about this var.is that Hiarcs is out of book already by move #3!! But my computer analysis shows black as only having a tiny edge of a -0.24.Whites pawn is a bit overextended but can be later supported by an a4 pawn.White has slightly less Bishop square control,but black has a bit more,including his developed Knight,whereas White does not. Basically,at this point even a GM does not have any advantage...and Komodo has an ELO rating equivalent to a GM. Lets go to another variation on the same theme: 1.b4,a5 2.b5,b6 3.c4,Bb7 4.Nc3,Nf6 5.Nf3,e6 Again.no big advantage on either side and this time Hiarcs goes just a bit further in opening theory to move #5.Computer analysis states a +.28 advantage for white. Now one more variation: 1.b4,a5 Ahhhh..now YOU name just about anything other than 2.b5! Run your own analysis!.Any direct protection of whites b5 pawn with 2. a3,c3 or anything else leaves black with either a pawn up or his Rook "A" file wide open for an early spatial advantage edge.So,in reality ONLY 2.b5 is the best response for white! But how many white players know this?Perhaps 1 out of a hundred and then only those usually north of 2000. In conclusion,any opening,irregular or not,with the proper handling like above can yield surprise value and fast win results!So,why stick to those old proven 1.e4 and 1.d4 openings?Why stick to the standard defenses to e4 and d4?The Sok has proven itself many times over in IM play,but rarely in GM play.But so what?Are you an IM or a GM?Value is a relative term.And moving away from the standard book lines is a GREAT alternative!
euro_pop_legend 09-Jun-23, 18:09	Above...correction... I said works AGAINST the Sok for white!I meant works for black.Tired tonight!
euro_pop_legend 09-Jun-23, 18:16	So,try it! If immediately you see any "other" move for white with: 1.b4,a5 2.b5 And IF white does NOT move 2.b5...then you may develop a strong edge immediately for black! Plug on your own analysis moves and find out for yourself!
euro_pop_legend 09-Jun-23, 18:29	And don't forget to view that video above!It basically confirms most of what I just mentioned! Different...right?You bet.

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