1.c4

Could someone advise a line that gives Black active pieceplay versus 1.c4?I don't care if it's never been played at the highest level and it doesn't even have to be considered 100% sound either.
Would be much appreciated 🙂

1...e5

1. c4; c5

not the most dynamic, not the most interesting, it is the most balanced and symmetrical

The post that was quoted here has been removed

Just don't confuse the English Opening with being a "reverse" Sicilian. Main lines in the Sicilian correspond to obscure lines in the English, and vice-versa, but comparing them can be suprising.

The english is fun to play against and is very flexable. black can drag him into some confusing torritory and beat the hell out of white and vis versa. thats just the way it is. wittywonka and i have several games where i was teaching him how to better his c4 play. we've gone over at least 5 different variations. I was half white and half black, so sometimes one of us would make a mistake and figure out why it was a mistake. like taking the c pawn and trying to hold onto it. here are some games where black played well.
[gid]3401168 [/gid]
[gid]3608044 [/gid]
Game 3511175

I think i had a space inbteween them

Game 3401168
Game 3608044

Originally posted by ouwe belg
Could someone advise a line that gives Black active pieceplay versus 1.c4?I don't care if it's never been played at the highest level and it doesn't even have to be considered 100% sound either.
Would be much appreciated 🙂

Originally posted by Korch
1....g6

Originally posted by najdorfslayer
What about 1...g5!?

Originally posted by ouwe belg
Could someone advise a line that gives Black active pieceplay versus 1.c4?I don't care if it's never been played at the highest level and it doesn't even have to be considered 100% sound either.
Would be much appreciated 🙂

"Beating Unusual openings" by Richard Palliser has several chapters on 1.c4 -

For practical play you could review the games of MotownDave one of the 2000+ players here on RHP.

Here's a flavour from the Richard Pallisers book:

Chapter 1

White Fianchettoes and plays Nf3

1.c4...c5, 2.Nc3...Nc6, 3. g3...g6, 4. Bg2...Bg7, 5. Nf3 and then: A: 5...e5, B:...d6!?, C:...a6!?

Chapter 2

White Fianchettoes without Nf3

1.c4...c5, 2. Nc3...Nc6, 3.g3...g6, 4. Bg2...Bg7 and then : A: 5.a3, B: 5.b3, C: 5.e4

"These three systems can lead to some strategically rich positionjs, and that has helped each of them to gain a dedicated following. Ahain the Botvinnik set up is a good way for bloack to respond although he must be alert to move order nuances especially in line A.

Chapter 3

The Three Knights Variation

1.c4...c5, 2.Nf3...Nc6, 3. Nc3 A: 3...e5, B: 3...Nd4!?

Chapter 4

White Plays and Early d4

1.c4...c5, 2. Nf3...Nc6, 3. d4...cxd4, 4. Nxd4...Qb6!, 5.Nb3...e6, 6.Nc3...Nf6 and then

A:7.e4, B: 7a3, C: 7g3