Symmetrical Variation

The Symmetrical Variation of the Polish Opening, also known as the Orangutan, arises after 1. b4 b5. Black copies White's flank advance, takes the same amount of queenside space and prepares ...Bb7 to contest the long diagonal, avoiding an early commitment in the center. The price of symmetry is that both b-pawns are unprotected, and the extra tempo stays with White, so the side that first exploits the loose pawn or the long diagonal tends to gain the initiative.

White most often answers with 2. Bb2, developing the bishop onto the a1-h8 diagonal toward g7. The quieter 2. e3 opens a path for the f1-bishop, which then bears on the b5-pawn. 2. a4 challenges Black's b-pawn at once, aiming to open the a-file and loosen Black's queenside. The engine rates 2. a4 among the strongest moves and assesses the position as roughly balanced with a faint edge for White. The line is uncommon even among Polish Opening games. In online play White scores noticeably better than Black, and draws are rare.