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I had the Black pieces in this game and my opponent played a very interesting opening – 1. b4 – the Polish Opening, aka the Orangutan Opening! Eric Schiller, in his book, “Unorthodox Chess Openings”, quotes Tartakower:

“This move, which has so bizarre an aspect, occupies a place of honor amongst the ‘freak’ openings. Later, at the New York Tournament of 1924, I termed this the ‘Orangutang’ Opening, not only because I employed it there – against Maroczy – after a previous consultation with a young orang-outang (during a visit by all the masters to the New York Zoo on the eve of the game in question) but also since the climbing movement o the pawn to b4 and then b5 is reminiscent of that inventive animal. The name has stuck.”

According to Stockfish, the Polish is “okay” for White at [-0.1]. Its offbeat nature means that it doesn’t usually transpose into other better-known openings. Black has several good options to respond – taking control of the centre with pawns (e4 or d4) or with Nf6.

I played e5 and White fianchetto their bishop with Bb2. I had an opportunity to capture the pawn on b4 but didn’t want to lose my e5 pawn. And so, on move 2, I make my first mistake with (2… Nc6) [+1.5] as White now had (3. b5) attacking that knight. A bit rattled, I pushed forward (3… Nd4) but the knight was immediately attacked by another pawn (4. e3).

At this point, I decided to slow down. It’s a 30-min game! My knight was being bullied and I knew that I screwed up the opening. Logically, the obvious move was Ne6, to pull back my knight and lose the e-pawn. However, I didn’t like the massive concession of the loss of tempo with moving the knight for a third time and losing material.

So, I decided to gambit the knight! After a bit over two minutes, I played what I knew was an audacious move that likely would not be expected by my opponent (4… Bc5). My logic: this develops my bishop and following trades. I will be up on development. I constrain White’s fianchetto bishop by blocking the long diagonal. I restrict White’s natural development of the queen’s knight. I potentially limit White’s queenside expansion, which makes their pawn on b5 misplaced. The natural square for the bishop means that it patrols the f2 square, which is often a great tactical resource to have up your sleeve. Stockfish hates this move [+6], but I’m playing an intermediate level human, not an engine!

By move 13 at the beginning of the middle game, this decision was starting to bear some fruit. Stockfish of course gives the advantage strongly to White, by I’m better developed, and White’s queen in the centre of the board is about to be forced to move repeatedly, harassed by my minor pieces and pawns.

By move 17, we’d basically equalised (although I remained a full piece down) and I found a very tricky move with (17… d3), attacking White’s bishop on e2, which is pinned to the rook on e1. Expected, White took with the c-pawn (18. cxd3) but I now had (18… Nxd3), ostensibly a fork of the queen and rook. Once again, the bishop doesn’t look like it should capture given it’s pinned to the rook, and so White plays (19. Qg3). This was a game-ending blunder! Remember I said “ostensibly” a fork of the queen and rook? Actually, it’s a TRIPLE fork as the knight is also attack the f2 pawn. I now had (19… Bxf2+) which is an AMAZING family fork (king, queen, rook) with a BISHOP!

After winning the queen, I was so excited, I immediately blundered my rook on h8 as I forgot about the fianchetto bishop! However, this doesn’t matter as I have an overwhelming advantage. The endgame wasn’t the simplest, but on move 33, I deliver a satisfying checkmate. GG!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/75865352111

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.04.22"]
[Round "-"]
[White "detzirius"]
[Black "vitualis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "A00"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Polish-Opening-1...e5-2.Bb2"]
[UTCDate "2023.04.22"]
[UTCTime "01:22:47"]
[WhiteElo "1395"]
[BlackElo "1438"]
[TimeControl "1800"]
[Termination "vitualis won by checkmate"]
[StartTime "01:22:47"]
[EndDate "2023.04.22"]
[EndTime "01:57:51"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/75865352111"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/6241162.a82e98dd.50x50o.ff0182d1a119.jpeg"]
[WhiteCountry "2"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.82046355.50x50o.c8c8e6b7296c.jpg"]
[BlackCountry "17"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. b4 {[%clk 0:30:00][%c_arrow
e7e5;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false,d7d5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,g8f6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f6;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false,d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false]
The mysterious Polish Opening, aka Orangutan Opening $1 It is \"okay\" for White
[-0.1] and its distinctive offbeat nature means that it doesn't usually
transpose into other openings.} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:29:39.2]} 2. Bb2 {[%clk
0:29:56.7]} 2... Nc6 $2 {[%clk 0:29:26.8][%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
f8b4;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;b4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b4;persistent;false] A mistake [+1.5] on
move 2 $1 I didn't want to lose my e-pawn but this was the wrong approach.} 3. b5
{[%clk 0:29:52.9]} 3... Nd4 {[%clk 0:28:39.8]} 4. e3 $1 {[%clk
0:29:49.8][%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 4... Bc5 $2
{[%clk 0:26:20.3][%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] At this
point, I knew that I had seriously stuffed up the opening. My knight was being
chased around. I knew that the \"logical\" move was Ne6, but I didn't like
having to move my knight for the third time in the opening, only to lose a pawn.
So after thinking for a couple of minutes, I decided to play an audacious move
that I knew the engine wouldn't like [+6], and to gambit my knight for
development, and to close off the dark square diagonal to defang White's
fianchetto bishop.} 5. exd4 {[%clk 0:29:45.4]} 5... exd4 {[%clk 0:26:15]} 6. Nf3
{[%clk 0:29:33.5]} 6... Qf6 {[%clk 0:25:39]} 7. Qe2+ {[%clk 0:29:15.1]} 7... Ne7
{[%clk 0:25:30.1]} 8. Ne5 $2 {[%clk 0:29:04.6][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e2c4;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c4;persistent;false] A mistake as White
doesn't have enough pieces for the attack [+2.8]} 8... d6 {[%clk 0:24:20.8]} 9.
Ng4 $2 {[%clk 0:28:26.7][%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A
fairly serious mistake [-1.8] but I don't take advantage of it} 9... Bxg4 $2
{[%clk 0:23:56.4][%c_arrow
f6g6;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Feeling skittish, I decided to delete
their most active piece, but Stockfish disagrees with this approach [+4]} 10.
Qxg4 {[%clk 0:27:14.3]} 10... h5 {[%clk 0:23:18.8]} 11. Qe4 {[%clk 0:26:37.4]}
11... O-O-O {[%clk 0:22:33.2]} 12. Be2 {[%clk 0:26:23.3]} 12... Rde8 {[%clk
0:21:52.8]} 13. O-O $6 {[%clk 0:26:15.1][%c_arrow
e4f3;keyPressed;none;from;e4;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] My original decision to gambit the
knight is starting to bear fruit at the beginning of the middle game. I'm much
better developed and White is cramped. Their queen will be subject to
harassment, losing tempo, as I develop further and create an attack [+2.8].}
13... Ng6 {[%clk 0:21:03.8]} 14. Qf3 {[%clk 0:26:03.9]} 14... Qe6 $6 {[%clk
0:19:24.5][%c_arrow
g6f4;keyPressed;none;from;g6;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
f4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f4;persistent;false][%c_effect
e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Stockfish thought blocking the
attack was better [+4]} 15. Re1 $2 {[%clk 0:25:50.6][%c_arrow
e2d3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false][%c_effect
e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake, weakening the defence of
the f2 pawn [+1.8]} 15... Ne5 {[%clk 0:18:32.1]} 16. Qe4 $2 {[%clk
0:25:22.6][%c_arrow
f3b3;keyPressed;none;from;f3;opacity;0.8;to;b3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
b3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;b3;persistent;false][%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's often difficult to find the
right move when the queen is chased by minor pieces in the middle of the board.
A serious mistake that gives me the advantage - the benefit of having the
initiative and activity [-4].} 16... f5 $2 {[%clk 0:16:37.9][%c_arrow
d6d5;keyPressed;none;from;d6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I couldn't decide between f5 and d5
and eventually chose the f-pawn. Stockfish thought d5 was better [-0.7].} 17.
Qf4 {[%clk 0:24:41.4]} 17... d3 $2 {[%clk 0:14:35.6][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stockfish calls this a mistake
[+0.9], but I thought that this was a very tricky move that is difficult for
Black to navigate - and this move allowed me to win the game $1} 18. cxd3 {[%clk
0:24:22.4]} 18... Nxd3 $1 {[%clk 0:14:19.5][%c_effect
d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Triple fork of queen, rook, and
hidden in the threat, the f2 pawn $1} 19. Qg3 $4 {[%clk 0:24:00.3][%c_arrow
e2d3;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false][%c_effect
g3;square;g3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] And White now plays a game-ending
blunder [-7.7]} 19... Bxf2+ {[%clk 0:14:04.9][%c_arrow
f2e1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;e1;persistent;false,f2g1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false,f2g3;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e1;persistent;false,g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false,g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false]
Have you ever seen a FAMILY FORK with BISHOP $1} 20. Qxf2 {[%clk 0:23:46.9]} 20...
Nxf2 {[%clk 0:14:01.4]} 21. Kxf2 {[%clk 0:23:45.1]} 21... g5 $2 {[%clk
0:12:41.7][%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
h5h4;keyPressed;none;from;h5;opacity;0.8;to;h4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h4;persistent;false] I was so excited
after that move, I immediate launched a kingside attack, and just forgot about
the fianchetto bishop $1 This was a mistake [-2.5] but I'm still winning.} 22.
Bxh8 {[%clk 0:23:37.7]} 22... Rxh8 {[%clk 0:12:33.2] The advantage is that I do
remove that annoying piece and potentially, simplifies the rest of the game} 23.
Nc3 {[%clk 0:23:32]} 23... Qe5 {[%clk 0:11:14.7]} 24. g3 $2 {[%clk
0:23:15.6][%c_arrow
f2g1;keyPressed;none;from;f2;opacity;0.8;to;g1;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g1;persistent;false][%c_effect
g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This weakens the light squares around
the king [-6.7]} 24... f4 $4 {[%clk 0:10:59.2][%c_effect
f4;square;f4;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e2g4;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,g4c8;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;c8;persistent;false,e1e5;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
c8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false,e5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e5;persistent;false]
A massive blunder [+3.5] as White can capture my queen with a discovered attack
with check. Luckily, they don't see it $1} 25. Bxh5 $4 {[%clk 0:23:04.5][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e2g4;keyPressed;none;from;e2;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g4;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g4;persistent;false] This is a blunder
that loses the bishop [-9]} 25... Qc5+ {[%clk 0:10:43.9]} 26. Kg2 {[%clk
0:22:46.7]} 26... Rxh5 $1 {[%clk 0:10:18.1][%c_effect
h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. g4 $6 {[%clk
0:22:13.3][%c_arrow
e1e8;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false][%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An inaccuracy [-12]} 27... Rh8
{[%clk 0:08:26.5]} 28. a4 $6 {[%clk 0:21:35.3][%c_effect
a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e1e2;keyPressed;none;from;e1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false] An inaccuracy as
forced mate is now possible [-M21]} 28... Rf8 {[%clk 0:07:50.6]} 29. Rac1 {[%clk
0:21:23.1]} 29... f3+ {[%clk 0:07:36.8]} 30. Kg3 {[%clk 0:21:12.4]} 30... Qd4
{[%clk 0:06:10.4]} 31. Rcd1 {[%clk 0:20:44.4]} 31... f2 {[%clk 0:05:39]} 32. Rf1
{[%clk 0:20:33.4]} 32... Qd3+ {[%clk 0:04:58.3]} 33. Kg2 {[%clk 0:20:21]} 33...
Qf3# {[%clk 0:04:52.1][%c_effect
c8;square;c8;type;Winner,g2;square;g2;type;CheckmateWhite] The king is boxed in
by their pawns and rook. GG $1} 0-1