Chessy
The Polish Opening: Karniewski Variation – Playing Black Against 1.b4 Nh6
After 1.b4, most players expect something standard like ...e5 or ...d5. Instead, the Karniewski Variation meets the Polish Opening with 1...Nh6 — a move that develops a knight to the edge of the board while keeping all your options open. It might look odd, but over 1,831 games in the Lichess database, Black scores a respectable 44.0%, and White's edge is far from crushing. Below the board, you'll face the position after 1.b4 Nh6. The engine is set to White's best reply — your job is to find a plan that keeps Black in the game.
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Create a free account →What You're Fighting For
The knight on h6 may look misplaced, but it serves a purpose. From h6 the knight can go to f5 (pressuring the kingside) or back to g8 if needed. The real battle is over the centre. White's 1.b4 grabs queenside space but does nothing in the middle. Your ...Nh6 keeps the centre flexible — you can follow up with ...e6, ...d5, or ...c5 depending on what White does. Stockfish rates the position +0.37, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse, but nowhere near lost. A patient, solid setup will give you plenty of chances to outplay a White player who overreaches.
White's Best Move: Bb2
In the database, Bb2 is by far the most common reply (1,188 games), and the engine agrees it's White's strongest move, continuing with Bb2 e6 e3 b6. White develops the bishop to the long diagonal and prepares to control the centre. After 2.Bb2, you should play 2...e6 — solid and flexible. This opens lines for your light-squared bishop and prepares ...d5 or ...c5. White's 3.e3 then 4.b6 is a natural setup, but your position is perfectly fine if you develop sensibly. The key: don't rush. Castle kingside, put your knights on good squares, and wait for White to commit to a plan.
The Statistics Tell a Story
Let's look at what happens when White chooses something other than Bb2, because the numbers are revealing: - b5 (103 games): White scores only 44.7% — this move actually gives Black the better results! - Nc3 (67 games): White scores just 29.9% — a terrible outcome for White. - c4 (64 games): White scores 37.5%, another poor result. - d4 (44 games): White scores 43.2%. - d3 (37 games): White scores 45.9%. The pattern is clear: when White doesn't play Bb2, Black scores well. Over the full database (all moves included), White wins 49.6% of games, draws 6.4%, and Black wins 44.0%. Those are surprisingly good odds for Black in a position that looks unusual.
Punishing White's Mistakes
If your opponent plays anything other than Bb2, the engine says they're making an inaccuracy. Here are the specific mistakes flagged: - b5 is an inaccuracy (loses about 0.8 pawns; better was Bb2). - Nc3 is an inaccuracy (loses about 0.7 pawns; better was Bb2). - d3 is an inaccuracy (loses about 0.7 pawns; better was Bb2). If you see 2.b5, don't panic — it's a mistake that gives away White's opening edge. Simply develop naturally with ...e6 or ...d5, and you'll have an excellent position. Similarly, 2.Nc3 or 2.d3 are gifts. Stay calm, develop your pieces, and trust the statistics: White's winning percentage drops dramatically when they don't find Bb2.
Results across 1,831 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bb2 | 1,188 | 54.7% |
| b5 | 103 | 44.7% |
| Nc3 | 67 | 29.9% |
| c4 | 64 | 37.5% |
| d4 | 44 | 43.2% |
| d3 | 37 | 45.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 1...Nh6 a good move against the Polish Opening?
Yes, it's a playable surprise weapon. The engine gives White only a small edge (+0.37), and across over 1,800 games Black scores 44.0% from this position — far better than you'd expect from a move that looks so odd.
What is White's best reply to 1...Nh6?
The engine's best move is 2.Bb2, followed by e6, e3, and b6. This gives White a small advantage. Many other moves (like b5, Nc3, or d3) are inaccuracies that hand Black the initiative.
Why does the knight go to h6 instead of f6?
The knight on h6 keeps the centre flexible — it doesn't block the f-pawn, and it can later jump to f5 to pressure the kingside. It's a tricky, offbeat choice that can throw off opponents who expect a standard response to 1.b4.
What should I play after 2.Bb2?
Play 2...e6, which is the engine's continuation. This prepares to develop your light-squared bishop and contest the centre with ...d5 or ...c5. Follow up with natural development and kingside castling.