Facing the Sokolsky Opening: Meet 1.b4 with d6

By playing 1...d6 against 1.b4, you're doing something very clever: you're ignoring White's flank push and preparing to claim the centre with ...e5. The pawn on d6 supports that central advance and keeps your pawn structure solid. You're not tricked into chasing the b-pawn or playing a committal move early. Instead, you let White show his intentions while you quietly build from the centre outward. Stockfish evaluates the position after 2.Nf3 as -0.12, a tiny edge for Black — effectively dead equal. That means you're right in the game and have nothing to fear.

The computer's top choice from the diagram is 2...e5. This is the most direct way to challenge White's centre. The engine's ideal continuation runs: 3.c4 e4 4.Nd4. Black gains space, chases the White knight, and will follow up with natural developing moves like ...Nf6 or ...Be7. The statistics back this up: 2...e5 has been played over 3,600 times from this position, and White scores only 46.6% — meaning Black outplays White in those games. If you want the one move that best rewards your solid opening, this is it.

After 1.b4 d6 2.Nf3, here are the five most common moves and how White scores against each one: - 2...e5 (3,670 games) — White scores 46.6%, a good sign for Black. - 2...Nf6 (1,739 games) — White scores 47.6%, still comfortable for Black. - 2...g6 (649 games) — White scores 49.0%, very close to equality. - 2...e6 (420 games) — White scores 52.6%, so this is slightly less accurate for Black. - 2...c6 (386 games) — White scores 46.6%, another excellent choice for Black. - 2...Bg4 (358 games) — White scores 53.6%, so pinning the knight here is the least effective option and gives White a small edge. The lesson is clear: the more centrally your reply fights for space, the better your results.

Among the popular continuations, 2...Bg4 stands out as the least favourable for Black. Pinning the knight with ...Bg4 may look natural, but White scores 53.6% after that move — a clear improvement over the other lines. The problem is that ...Bg4 does nothing to claim the centre, and White can respond with a quick c4, d4, or even h3 to gain time. Avoid this pin in the early going and focus on your central pawns instead. Stick with 2...e5 or 2...Nf6 and you'll keep the position dead level.

Your goals from this position are simple: 1. Claim the centre — Play ...e5 as soon as possible. 2. Develop naturally — Bring out your knights and bishops to active squares. 3. Don't overreact — White's b4 pawn isn't a threat. If White pushes to b5, you can often ignore it and continue your development. 4. Castle early — Get your king to safety. The position remains balanced for many moves. Your winning chances are just as good as White's — the 47.7% Black win rate proves it. Trust your central play and don't let the unusual first move rattle you.