Bugayev Attack

The Bugayev Attack is the line 1. b4 e5 2. a3 of the Polish Opening. Black's first move frees the f8-bishop to take on b4, and White responds with 2. a3, which simply protects the pawn. The main alternative, 2. Bb2, counterattacks e5 and allows 2...Bxb4 3. Bxe5. The Bugayev move avoids that exchange of a wing pawn for a central one and keeps the b-pawn as a base for later queenside expansion. The cost is a second pawn move on the wing while Black occupies the center undisturbed.

Black's most common reply by a wide margin is 2...d5, establishing two central pawns. Less frequent are 2...Nf6 and the more restrained 2...d6. Engine analysis gives Black a slight edge after 2. a3, with 2...d5, 2...a5 and 2...Nf6 rated highest. The pawn thrust ...a5 targets the b4-pawn and challenges the queenside structure White has committed to. In online games, however, White scores somewhat better than Black from this position, and draws are rare.