Zukertort Opening: Myers Polish Attack

Before the first move

The Myers Polish Attack is a provocative and rare expansion on the queenside. By pushing the a and b-pawns early, White aims to grab space and disrupt Black's standard development. It is an unconventional way to fight for the initiative while keeping the center flexible.

1. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This flexible move controls the center and prepares for castling while keeping your options open for the central pawns. It is the foundation of the Zukertort and Reti openings, preventing Black from immediately occupying the center with e5.

1... Nf6Black

Black replies Nf6, the most principled response to the Zukertort. This maintains symmetry and controls the e4 and d5 squares. Other popular tries include the Dutch Variation with f5 or the more experimental Arctic Defense with f6, but Nf6 remains the gold standard for solid development.

Other paths here: f6 (Zukertort Opening: Arctic Defense) · h6 (Zukertort Opening: Basman Defense) · Nc6 (Zukertort Opening: Black Mustang Defense) · f5 (Zukertort Opening: Dutch Variation)

2. a4White · your move

Push your pawn to a4. This is the first step of the Myers Polish Attack, intending to seize space on the queenside and discourage Black from playing b5. It creates an unusual pawn structure that can lead to original and tricky middlegame positions.

Other paths here: b4 (Polish Opening: Zukertort System) · g3 (Reti: KIA) · e4 (Zukertort Opening: Lemberger Gambit) · b3 (Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation)

2... g6Black

Black plays g6, preparing to develop the bishop to g7. This is a very logical response to White's flank play, as the bishop will eventually stare down the long diagonal toward White's expanded queenside. It signals a King's Indian or Grunfeld-style setup.

3. b4White · your move

Push your pawn to b4 to complete the Myers Polish setup. You have now established a significant space advantage on the queenside. This move prepares to develop your dark-squared bishop to b2, where it will challenge Black's control of the long diagonal.

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich and highly non-standard. White will likely develop the bishop to b2 and look for central breaks like d4 or c4. Black should focus on finishing kingside development with Bg7 and O-O, then look to strike at the white pawn chain using moves like c5 or a5 to create counterplay.

• c1-b2 Fianchetto the bishop to b2
• f8-g7 Develop bishop to the long diagonal
• e8-g8 Secure the king via castling
• d2-d4 Challenge the center with d4
• a7-a5 Undermine the queenside pawn chain