Chessy
How to Play Against the Sokolsky Opening
The Sokolsky Opening begins with 1.b4, an unusual flank move that asks you to react calmly rather than chase the pawn. As Black, your job is simple: strike back in the centre, keep your pieces active, and avoid letting White build a comfortable initiative on the queenside. At this exact position, the engine gives you a small edge, so this is a great drill for turning a strange first move into a sensible game plan. Use the exercise below to practise the most natural response and see how the position can unfold.
Practice playing against the Sokolsky Opening
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and practise meeting 1.b4 with confidence. Create a free account to track your progress and revisit the position anytime.
Create a free account →The most natural reaction is to hit the centre
The engine’s best move here is e5, and that fits the basic chess idea behind this opening: when your opponent starts with a flank pawn, you should not waste time admiring it. Instead, ask what happens in the centre and make White prove the value of 1.b4. In the line given by the engine, White continues with Bb2, then Bxb4, then Bxe5. The lesson is not to memorise tactics, but to recognise that Black can meet this opening with direct central play and keep the position under control.
What the numbers say about this position
This exact position has been played 11,337,449 times on Lichess, so there is plenty of practical experience behind it. White wins 52.3%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 43.9%. That tells you the position is playable for Black, but you should not expect an easy ride just because White started with an offbeat move. The engine evaluation is -0.38, which means you are a little better here as Black, but only by a small margin.
The replies you are most likely to face
The most-played continuation is e5 with 4,828,050 games, and White scores 53.7% there. The other common choices are d5 with 2,413,244 games, e6 with 1,030,707 games, Nf6 with 904,523 games, g6 with 492,933 games, and c6 with 317,771 games. That spread tells you this opening does not force one rigid path, but the central theme stays the same: stay active, do not get dragged into passive defence, and make White justify the space grab.
How to think about your game plan
Against 1.b4, Black should stay alert to the queen-side idea behind White’s first move, but the practical answer is still to develop naturally and challenge the centre. In beginner and club play, this often works well because White is hoping for something unusual, while you get a more familiar type of position. If you keep your pieces coordinated and avoid overreacting, you can use White’s flank move as a chance to seize the initiative. The drill below is ideal for building that habit in a concrete position.
Results across 11,337,449 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 4,828,050 | 53.7% |
| d5 | 2,413,244 | 52.2% |
| e6 | 1,030,707 | 53.2% |
| Nf6 | 904,523 | 47.2% |
| g6 | 492,933 | 52.1% |
| c6 | 317,771 | 49.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sokolsky Opening good for White?
It is playable, but this exact position does not give White a clear advantage. The database shows White winning more often than Black overall here, yet the engine still gives Black a small edge with best play. That means White can create practical chances, but Black should feel comfortable meeting it.
What is the best move against 1.b4 as Black?
The engine’s best move here is **e5**. The idea is simple: challenge the centre immediately rather than spending time on the flank. In this position, that is the most direct and principled way to answer White’s first move.
What does the database say about this position?
Across **11,337,449** games at this exact position, White wins **52.3%**, draws **3.8%**, and Black wins **43.9%**. Those numbers show that White has scored a little better in practice, even though the engine evaluation is slightly in Black’s favour. It is a useful reminder that practical results and engine judgement can point in different directions.
Should I expect a sharp attack against the Sokolsky Opening?
Not necessarily. This opening often leads to a position where central control and piece activity matter more than immediate tactics. If you answer calmly and develop well, you can steer the game into a manageable middlegame.
How many games feature the Sokolsky Opening?
Over 11 million Lichess games have reached the Sokolsky Opening position. White wins 52.3%, Black wins 43.9%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.