16 Oct 07
Originally posted by ladyviola66TONY is right regarding the moves. I'm not sure its a good choice of opening for 1300ish players though, it is very positional. Mix it up with old fashioned classical openings 🙂
What should beginner 1100-1300 know about English opening: After bishop's pawn then what? Are there as many variations as Sicilian?
16 Oct 07
1 edit
I'm a big fan of the English opening, and play it pretty much always as white. I'll post a few of my better games on it in a bit.
As for players who are more experienced, does anyone have suggestions for positions when after white's 1. c4 black plays 1. ... c6 or 1. ... e6 as if preparing for a QGD?
16 Oct 07
Originally posted by wittywonkaTry transposing into b3 lines of the reti, to make it more exciting if you don't like QGD.
I'm a big fan of the English opening, and play it pretty much always as white. I'll post a few of my better games on it in a bit.
As for players who are more experienced, does anyone have suggestions for positions when after white's 1. c4 black plays 1. ... c6 or 1. ... e6 as if preparing for a QGD?
16 Oct 07
Originally posted by UriesYeah, that's what I've been doing, but the positions annoy me most of the time. I usually feel cramped and occasionally lacking a plan...
Try transposing into b3 lines of the reti, to make it more exciting if you don't like QGD.
I like the traditional English setup more...
16 Oct 07
Originally posted by wittywonkaI have the same problem.
Yeah, that's what I've been doing, but the positions annoy me most of the time. I usually feel cramped and occasionally lacking a plan...
I like the traditional English setup more...
I have been trying for a botvinik-ish setup (trying to get e4 in before d5) which leads to very odd/interesting games.
i.e.
1. c4 c6
2. e4 d5
which typically transposes to a Panov Caro Kahn.
16 Oct 07
Originally posted by wittywonkaas for 1...c6, i like 1.c4 c6 2.g3! d5 3.Bg2 waiting for Black to commit his knight to f6. Now 3...Bg4? is bad after 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Qb3, hitting b7 and d5. 3...dxc4 is risky for Black. Therefore Black has nothing better to do than 3...Nf6, when 4.Nf3 follows and we're back into familiar territory since we've persuaded Black to play ...Nf6.
I'm a big fan of the English opening, and play it pretty much always as white. I'll post a few of my better games on it in a bit.
As for players who are more experienced, does anyone have suggestions for positions when after white's 1. c4 black plays 1. ... c6 or 1. ... e6 as if preparing for a QGD?
you can also try an interesting anti-slav method: 1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3! Now 3...Bg4?! (4.Bxf3! bails out but surrenders the bishop pair) 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Qa4+ Bd7 (forced) 6.Qb3. 3...Bf5? 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Qb3 would be unpleasant for Black. So, to continue the method: 3...Nf6 4.Qc2 (once again ruling out ...Bf5 and ...Bg4 (4...Bg4 5.Ne5 is awkward for Black). Now White is preparing to castle Queen-side and attack h7 with Bd3 once Black has castled King-side.
16 Oct 07
3 edits
Originally posted by wittywonkavs. 1...e6 is dangerous for Black if he keeps putting his pieces on "natural" squares rather than make an effort to find a decent plan.
I'm a big fan of the English opening, and play it pretty much always as white. I'll post a few of my better games on it in a bit.
As for players who are more experienced, does anyone have suggestions for positions when after white's 1. c4 black plays 1. ... c6 or 1. ... e6 as if preparing for a QGD?
1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3 (cutting out the lines with 3...dxc4.) 3...Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.e3 b6 (hoping to solve the problem w/the queen's gambit and the light-squared bishop). If this was the Queen's gambit, WHite should punish Black for playing ...b7-b6 as quickly as possible by putting pressure on the c-file or against the d5-pawn. Us English players prefer a slower and more restrained way (like Kasparov did to Karpov, who collapsed under White's restraint. To quote Doc Holiday in 'Tombstone', "It was much more than he could bare." ) So, 8.Bb2 Bb7 9.Nc3 (This line also works as a way to avoid the Hedgehog.) 9...Nbd7 looks most accurate for Black. 10.Qe2 and Black can try 10...Qc7 or 10...Ne4!? to ease the tension.