The a6, b5, e6, Bb7 set-up can be found in the Najdorf (Poisoned Pawn),
Scheveningen (Keres Attack) Polugaevsky and Paulsen variations. The b4 push by
Black is found in the Dragon variation, (although the kingside fianchetto does
not fit our plan), the Keres Attack and the Paulsen variation. Further, the
Mieses-Kotrc gambit in the Center-Counter has the beginnings of a St. George,
and we discuss that line briefly in our center-counter section.
One may find similarities in the Benko Gambit and the Queen's Gambit Accepted as
well.
We will not reproduce most of the lines in question, as they are
available in any comprehensive opening reference. For illustrative purposes,
though, let's look at two particularly striking examples from the Paulsen and
Polugaevsky variations of the Sicilian, and one powerful example from the Benko.
| Paulsen e4 c5 Nf3 e6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 a6 Nc3 Qc7 Be2 b5 0-0 Bb7 Bf3 Nc6 a4 b4 Nxc6 bxc3 Nd4 Nf6 e5 with White slightly better |
Polugaevsky e4 c5 Nf3 d6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nc3 a6 Bg5 e6 f4 b5 It is this move by Black that marks the variation. e5 dxe5 fxe5 Qc7 Qe2 Nfd7 0-0-0 Bb7 Qg4 Qxe5 Be2 Bc5 Rhf1 Bxd4 |
Benko without g6 d4 Nf6 c4 c5 d5 b5 cxb5 a6 e3 Bb7 Nc3 axb5 Bxb5 Qa5 Many alternatives from here, and in the Benko lines in general. See a manual for more! |
We leave it to the reader to investigate these lines further. It may be mentioned that the player of the St. George may adopt the similar lines from the Sicilian into his opening repertoire. When the opening positions seem familiar, following themes seen before, the player should, at least, have no problems in the early stages of the game. Reference to the opening manuals should be made to ensure avoidance of "trapping" lines.
The similarities between the St. George and more traditional openings go beyond the French and Sicilian. The queenside pawn excursions combined with the the appearance of the queenside fianchetto in Ruy Lopez lines (notably, the Modern Steinitz Defense, Open Defense, Counterthrust Variation, Accelerated Counterthrust Variation) are easy to spot in the opening manuals. Further, one line of the St. George has as its express purpose a transposition into the closed Ruy Lopez. It is called, with a wink, the San Jorge variation. Although it involves the kingside fianchetto which we do not prefer, readers interested in the application of that fianchetto to the St. George, or interested in utilizing the Lopez, should investigate. Those liking the kingside fianchetto by Black should also examine lines of the Averbakh Variation of the King's Indian Defense.
See our games
selection for those games which didn't necessarily start off as a St. George
or Polish Defense but which create positions of interest.
For more info and
links on openings, check out Chessopolis