1.b4 d5 2.Nf3  is no longer the Sokolsky opening.  

You have arrived at the english  (with c4) or the reti extended fianchetto variation.  I know this line very very well since I play it too as White via the proper 1.Nf3  d5  2.b4  move order.

I know, objectively, that Black can equalize in this line as well.




Here is one of the most reliable lines for Black against this White system--

[Event "Italy KO rd1"]
[Site "Asigc "]
[Date "2000.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Raffaele, Enzo (ITA)"]
[Black "Negri, Jacopo (ITA)"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A06"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "Chess  Ltd"]
[SourceDate "2005.07.27"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. b4 Bg4 3. Bb2 Nd7 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. e3 Ngf6 7. a3 Bd6 8.
Be2 O-O 9. Nd4 Ne5 10. d3 a5 11. O-O axb4 12. axb4 Rxa1 13. Bxa1 Bxb4 14. Bxg4
Nexg4 15. h3 Ne5 16. Nf5 Re8 17. Qb3 Bf8 18. Qxb7 Nxd3 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Qxd5
Rd8 21. Qe4 c5 22. Nd2 Ne5 23. Nf3 Nxf3+ 24. Qxf3 g6 25. Nd4 Kg7 26. Qxf6+ Kxf6
27. Nf3 Be7 28. Ra1 Ke6 29. Kf1 f5 30. Ke2 Bf6 31. Ra6+ Rd6 32. Rxd6+ Kxd6 33.
Kd3 1/2-1/2

Black achieved easy equality and was even at least slightly better later in this game.

Gambit wrote on 02/09/06 at 04:09:08:



Here is something Jeremy Silma wrote --

1.b4  d5
2.Bb2 Qd6


This is the idea I have in mind. 2…Qd6 supports ...e7-e5, threatens the b-pawn and sets a little trap, e.g., 3.b5?? Qb4! when Black wins a pawn.

3.a3

So White is reduced to this.

3...       e5
4.e3     Nf6
5.d3

(5.Nf3 e4 favors Black.)

5...      Nbd7

Now it’s a question of where the other pieces go. Black will probably fianchetto his King's Bishop on g7 and support his center with …Nbd7 and ...c7-c6.

6.Nf3    c6
7.Be2    g6!
8.c4     Bg7
9.cxd5    cxd5
10.0–0    0–0

Uhlmann has comfortably equalized already; why, Black is even slightly ahead in development! The art of successful opening play is to create a position where one has the potential to play for the win. Here Black can look to press forward in the center or maybe even attack the White King, e.g.,  ...Re8, ...Nf8, ...h5 etc. in the style of the King's Indian attack. Of course, White's game is also fine but his tricks have been negated. The better player will win and one cannot ask for more.



1...d5 with 2...  Qd6 is a strong system for Black and I so far am convinced White has no chance of advantage here either.

Yes, although I don't see any coverage of the transposing 1.Nf3 d5 2.b4, so-called Santasiere's Folly.
AG

"If equality was a refutation, then playing white would be unsound." Sure, agreed absolutely! -- but as I say I hadn't meant refutation in quite this sense. I just couldn't see how positions such as Hasangatin--Ramirez or Zschalich--Werner could be any fun for White, but then I'd be glad to learn he might have alternatives! How would you say White should handle things in this line? -- should he e.g. hurry with c2--c4, or not?

Even more surprising is that noone suggested 1...e6, which is bound to land somewhere in posters existing repertoire or at least in the immediate vicinity of it.

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned 1...c6 yet. When I used to play 1.b4 (and, I have to confess my amusement at the mention of a "refutation", since the move is totally playable and gives black no more than equality, in my mind), 1...c6 was always the trickiest move in practice. Add to that the fact that very few players of the white pieces seem to realise that 2.e3! is the correct move order, and will just wade in with 2.Bb2?! Qb6! which does give black an advantage.

1...c6 doesn't require much in the way of learning, and can always be followed up with ...e5 and ...d5, or ...d6, ...e5 and ...f5, while preparing the thematic ...a5 thrust. Seems like, if anything was going to refute 1.b4, this would be the move.

Regards,
Craig

I am not afraid of the ...Qd6  system, because White can play better! First, after 1 b4 e5, the correct move is 2 a3, not 2 Bb2, which is too committal.  Secondly, after  1 b4 d5  White should play 2 a3, protecting the pawn. Now, after 2...Qd6 3 Bb2.

I have some games that I played with 1 b4, and won vs. 1...e5. No need to trumpet 1...e5 as a "refutation". Thw White player did not know what he was doing, playing inaccurately.