Updated Sicilian Defense (Dragon and Acc. Dragon) on Sidebar

 Sicilian Defense Dragon and  Sicilian Accelerated Dragon Pages

    - Better Organized 
    -  Added FREE Chessable Course Links
    -  Added Some New Articles
    -  Added LiChess Studies
    -  Added Quite a few Video Lesson Playlists and Game Playlists

Updated Kings Indian Defense

 Cleaned Up and Organized the Kings Indian Defense Page on the Sidebar.

       - Added Some New Articles
       - Added LiChess Studies to the Page
       - Added links to Annotated games on Chessgames.com
       - Added a Bunch of Video Playlists with over 400 Videos of Lessons and Games

Unleash the Beast: Mastering the Sokolsky Opening (Polish or Orangutan)

"The beauty of a move lies not in its appearance but in the thought behind it."
 - Emanuel Lasker

 

Ideas of the Sokolsky Opening
 Surprise Your Opponent 

The Sokolsky Opening (1.b4),
also known as the Polish Opening or Orangutan Opening,
might be the perfect weapon to add to your arsenal!

This "offbeat" first move, where you push your pawn out two squares on the queenside (b-file), might seem unusual, but it has a hidden purpose.

 By playing 1.b4, you aim to:

• Control the queenside: This pawn move helps you claim space on that side of the board, giving you a strong foothold and potentially restricting your opponent's options.
• Fianchetto your dark-squared bishop: Later in the game, you'll likely develop your dark-squared bishop diagonally to a long diagonal (usually f2), giving it more attacking power.
• Prepare a kingside attack: The Sokolsky Opening aims to eventually launch a coordinated attack on your opponent's king on the other side of the board (kingside).

While not a common sight at the highest levels, the Sokolsky Opening has a surprising charm. Grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Boris Spassky have even dabbled in its unorthodox approach, showcasing its potential for surprise and strategic depth.

 Polish Opening Wikipedia Page

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Polish Opening Chess Articles

Polish Opening Theory, History & Key Variations for Beginners & Advanced Players Explained!

• POLISH OPENING - Chess Pathway Article w/embedded Video - Beginner-friendly intro with video overview, covering basic lines and traps.
  
  
• Orangutan Opening: The Complete Guide - Chess Journal Opening Guide - In-depth exploration of history, variations, strategy, and move-by-move explanations. Highlights strengths & weaknesses.
  
  
• Play the Amazing Polish Opening - IM Alberto Chueca - Focuses on main lines, strategic plans, and illustrative games.
  
  
• The Polish Opening – Playing with the Orangutan  - (Chessable Blog): Explores general ideas and dives into the main line with an embedded video.
  
  
• Polish Opening - Chessdoctrine.com - Breakdown of main ideas, key theoretical lines, and common opening traps.

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Polish Opening LiChess Studies

These Polish Opening (1.b4) studies offer a dynamic way to explore key concepts, variations, and famous games, perfect for both beginners and seasoned players.

• Polish Opening System - 5 Chapter Study  (149 hearts) - This basic overview provides a solid foundation for the Polish Opening, covering a few common defenses from Black
  
  
• Polish/Orangutan/Sokolsky Opening - 15 Chapter Study (28 hearts) - Dive deeper with 15 lines of opening repertoire, equipping you to handle various Black responses.
  
  
• Polish Opening (AKA Orangutan) -14 Chapter - Study the moves of the masters! This 14-chapter exploration features famous games played by Grandmasters.
  
  
• Orangutan Adventures - 21 Chapter - Embark on a 21-chapter journey through Orangutan games played at the Master level.
  
  
• Polish Opening Traps (Sokolsky Opening) Orangutan -  10 Chapter - Sharpen your tactical vision with 10 chapters focusing on common Polish Opening traps, all derived from miniature games.

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to learn move-by-move, test your understanding by solving variations, and gain a deeper grasp of the Polish Opening's intricacies.

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Games Databases

Delve into real-life chess battles featuring the Polish Opening (1.b4)! Analyze games played by masters and gain practical insights into how the opening unfolds.

365Chess.com

• A00: Polish (Sokolsky) opening 1. b4  - 6593 Games  -   Explore thousands of Polish Opening games, offering a vast landscape to study and learn from.

Chess tempo

• Polish Opening Games  - 1300 Games  - Focus on recent Polish Opening games, allowing you to see how the opening is played in the modern chess world.

365Chess.com

• A00: Polish (Sokolsky) opening 1. b4 - 6608 Games
  
  
• A00: Polish, Outflank variation 1. b4 c6 - 510 Games -  (For the curious) Dive deeper into a specific variation of the Polish Opening, the 1.b4 c6 Outflank Variation
  
  

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Polish Opening Puzzles : Sharpen Your Orangutan Tactics!

These puzzles are specifically designed to challenge you with tactical motifs that arise frequently in the Polish Opening (1.b4).

LiChess Opening Puzzles

• Polish Opening Puzzles  - 2489 Puzzles - This massive collection throws a variety of Polish Opening positions at you, ensuring you encounter all the key variations.

Polish Opening Puzzle Variations

• Czech Defense   362 puzzles
• Bugayev Attack  147 puzzles
• King's Indian Variation  149 puzzles
  
• Outflank Variation       66 puzzles
  
• Baltic Defense           63 puzzles
  
• Schiffler-Sokolsky Variation   61 puzzles
  
• Bugayev Advance Variation     35 puzzles
  
• Birmingham Gambit             44 puzzles
  
  

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Polish Opening (Orangutan) Chess Video Lessons

Expand your chess knowledge with a treasure trove of Polish Opening (1.b4) video lessons!

• Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Polish Opening / Orangutan Opening / Sokolsky Opening! - 22 Min - ChessGiant - A comprehensive guide by ChessGiant provides a solid foundation for the Polish Opening, highlighting its unconventional approach and surprising potential.
  
  
• Sokolsky/Polish Opening  - 12 Min - National Master Bryan Tillis shares his experiences playing against the Polish Opening, discussing common lines and strategic ideas.
  
  
• A Polish Opening Lesson from Hikaru, Trapped in Poland - 41 Min - (GM Hikaru Nakamura) Dive deep with Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura as he delivers a detailed lesson on the Polish Opening. He explores history, key concepts, and variations, drawing on his own games for illustrative purposes.
  
  
• Analyze This! | The Orangutan - GM Yasser Seirawan - 2014.03.11  - 44 Min - Join a chess class led by GM Yasser Seirawan, analyzing a game featuring the Orangutan Opening. Witness strategic discussions, move evaluations, and key moments dissected.

Blacks Repertoire vs. the Polish

• Chess Openings: Learn to Play 1. ...a5!? Against the Polish Opening / Orangutan Opening! - 11 min ChessGiant - Thinking outside the box? This video explores an unconventional response (1...a5) for Black against the Polish Opening.
  
  
• Chess Openings: Take Down The Orangutan with Black!! - 22 Min - IM Miodrag Perunovic - International Master Miodrag Perunovic equips you with strategies to counter the Orangutan as Black. He explores various approaches, including the Caro-Kann, King's Indian, and central pawn structures, catering to different playing styles.
  
  
• Reddit Opening Week 03 2016 Black vs 1 b4 Sokolsky Polish Orang Utan - 20 Min - Chessexplained - IM Christof Sielecki
  
  
• Live Session: Beating the Polish Opening  - 6 min - NM Bryan Tillis -National Master Bryan Tillis offers insights on facing the Polish Opening, providing suggestions for Black players in a live session.

Polish Opening Chess Traps

• Opening Traps in the Sokolsky / Orangutan / Polish Opening. #1 The Katalymov Trap - 11 min -  Sharpen your tactical vision with a look at the Katalymov Trap, a potential pitfall in the Tartakower Gambit variation.
  
  
• Chess Opening Trap: Polish (Sokolsky) Opening | Checkmate Pattern  - 2 Min -  Learn a quick checkmate pattern that can arise in the Polish Opening.

Polish Opening Game Videos (Analyzed)

The TRICKY Orangutan Opening and how to deal with it  - 10 Min IM Rosen -  I play the Orangutan (also known as the Polish) Opening beginning with 1.b4!? I played the first few moves in ultra-aggressive fashion and end up trapping my opponent before move 10.

Master of Preparation - 1.b4!! Anish vs Magnus - 14 Min

Orangutan Opening - Standard chess #24  - 49 Min   Chess Network

LIVE Blitz Chess Commentary #91: Polish (Sokolsky) Opening  - 13 Min  - Chess network

Bobby Fischer plays 1.b4!  - 7 Min  agadmantor

15 Min Chess #33 with Live Comments - Sokolsky Opening (Orang Utan 1.b4) - 27 Min IM Christof Sielecki
15 Min Chess #115 with Live Comments Orang Utan Sokolsky Opening - 35 Min IM Christof Sielecki

How To Win With 1.b4! In 17 Moves - Sokolsky vs. Strugatsch, 1958 - 10 Min - Miniature from 1958 where the Polish player, Sokolsky, uses 1.b4 to devastating effect as he sacrifices two bishops for a glorious attack!

ChessSchool

• Polish Opening: Chernyshov vs Lesiak - 6 Min - Miniature 1-0
• Polish Immortal: Glinksberg vs Miguel Najdorf - 5 Min - Miniature 0-1
• Polish Opening Has A Bait - 4 Min - Miniature 1-0

Reti Opening A04 - A09

 

Reti Opening Chess Resources

Wikipedia Page
The Réti Opening is a hypermodern chess opening whose "traditional" or "classic method" begins with the moves:

1. Nf3 d5   2. c4

BOOKS (Free)

Easy Guide to the Réti opening by Angus Dunnington -  130 Page PDF
The Modern Réti: An Anti-Slav Repertoire by Alexander Delchev - 216 Page PDF

Short & Sweet: The Réti  - FREE Chessable Course  - 22 Trainable Lines by IM Alkhatib 

Reti Opening Chess Articles

The Reti Opening: The Ultimate Chess Opening Guide -  Real Nice Guide from ichess.net  (Annotated Games, 3 Embedded Videos with over 1.5 hrs)
The Réti Opening  - another Guide by Simplify Chess, explains move by move
Réti Opening  - Guide by IM Alberto Cheuca

BLOGS

The Réti Opening: How to Play It as White and Black - Nice Guide on Chessable Blog

Nakamura's Secret Weapon Against the Réti Opening - Introduction (Part 1) - LiChess Blog Post
Nakamura's Secret Weapon Against the Réti Opening - The Ideal Center (Part 2) - LiChess Blog Post

Reti LICHESS Studies

The Reti Opening  -  23 Chapters  (296 Hearts)
COMPLETE GUIDE ON THE RETI - 16 Chapters   (63 Hearts)
RETI OPENING - 1.Nf3 - 10 Chapter Guide  (514 Hearts)
The Butcher Beats the Reti  -  10 Chapter Study (Playing against the Reti)

LiStudy  

Use Listudy to better memorize openings.
Play against your opening repertoire and learn them playfully and with scientifically effective methods.
Reti Studies- Mainline Variations  -  12 Lines to Practice and 3 Model games
Zukertort/Reti Opening Variations - 11 Lines to Practice

GAMES Databases

365Chess.com

A04: Reti opening 1. Nf3  -  316,000 Games
A05: Reti opening 1. Nf3 Nf6  - 143,000 Games
A06: Reti opening 1. Nf3 d5  - 86,000 Games
A07: Reti, King's Indian attack (Barcza system) 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 - 34,000 Games
A08: Reti, King's Indian attack 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2  - 3800 Games
A09: Reti opening 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4  - 19,500 Games

Chessgames.com

Reti Opening (A04-A06) - 80 Annotated Games
King's Indian Attack (A07) - 65 Annotated Games
King's Indian Attack (A08)  - 2 Annotated Games  
Reti Opening (A09)     - 7 Annotated games

Chess PUZZLES

Reti Opening, King's Indian Attack (ECO A07) -  14 Puzzles wtharvey.com

Reti Opening Video Lessons

GM Neiksans Boot Camp #12 - Reti Opening  - 1hr 45 min  Great Video
Réti Opening: Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 50 Min  - GM Ben Finegold
Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Reti Opening / Reti Gambit!  - 16 Min Chess Giant
Reti Overview  - 14 Min   (Palm Beach Chess) NM Bryan Tillis

Reti Opening Mastermind with IM Milovan Ratkovic Part 1  - 24 Min

Reti Opening Mastermind with IM Milovan Ratkovic Part 2  - 25 Min

Reti Opening Masterclass: Typical Plans and Strategy for White - 27 Min IM Alex Banzea
Chess Opening: Reti Gambit  - 20 Min   thechesswebsite  (Way to mess with French defense Players)
Crush The French - The Reti Gambit! - 9 Min GM Denes Boros
Crush The French - The Reti Gambit II - 10 Min GM Denes Boros

Reti Chess Traps

Chess Opening Traps #10: Reti Opening Trap - 10 Min Kingcrusher
2 GMs fell for this trap in the Reti| Expert Aleksander Delchev speaks about his favourite opening - 21 Min

Reti Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Reti Opening  -  81 game Playlist  -  agadmator's Chess Channel
Reti - Chess Opening  - 60 Game Playlist  _ Kingcrusher   (Annotated famous games)
Reti Gambit - Chess Opening  - 16 game Playlist  - Kingcrusher   (Mostly Blitz games by him )
Reti  - 8 Game Playlist   - Chessbase india   (More Recent top level games)

Fischer Wins with the Reti | Kids' Class - GM Varuzhan Akobian  - 32 Min
Richard Réti & Judit Polgár Hypermodern Games | Games to Know by Heart - WGM Sabina Foisor -52 Min

100 Repertoires: Reti updates from my OTB tournament! - 33 Min - FM Nate Solon
( 4 Reti Games from His Tournament Win w/ Analysis )

IM John Bartholomew 

Standard Chess #6: DAG87001 vs. IM Bartholomew (Reti Opening) - 41 Min
Blitz Chess #392: IM Bartholomew vs. IM Carlo D'Amore (Reti Opening) - 18 Min
Blitz Chess #386: IM Bartholomew vs. IM Johann Echavarria (Reti Opening) - 16 min
Blitz Chess #180: FM Sagit vs. IM Bartholomew (Reti Opening) - 17 min
Blitz Chess #377: GM PROFESSORSMITH vs. IM Bartholomew (Reti Opening) - 25 min
Blitz Chess #410: IM Bartholomew vs. ansatsu (Reti Opening) - 13 Min
Blitz Chess #21: IM Pichot vs. IM Bartholomew (Reti Opening) - 9 Min

IM Greg Shahade

5 minute chess #47: Greg Shahade vs GM Emre Can - (Reti Opening) - 8 Min
5 minute chess #41: Greg Shahade vs IM Oleg Krivonosov - Reti Opening - 11 min
5 minute chess #49: Greg Shahade vs Z-Integrator (Reti Opening) - 12 Min
5 minute chess #74: IM Oleg Krivonosov vs IM Greg Shahade - Reti Opening - 9 Min