Please ignore the crazy gambiteer named Paul. He wouldn't play the English unless it was at gunpoint. 🙂
Just kidding Paul.
The over-simplified idea behind the english is to take control of d4 and counteratack in the center. It can be similiar to a lot of the ideas in the Sicilian or it can be greatly different. Obviously there's a lot more to it than that. I don't play it as White. And when I face 1.c4 as black I play c6 so I'm no expert on it.
Here's a good link with a lot of info though:
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~dregis/DR/Openings/engidea1.html
I think d4 must be a typo. It's d5. White normally plays something like c4, g3, Bg2, and Nc3...sometimes d3, e3, Ne2. Or sometimes Nf3. It's a really amorphous opening that can go so many different ways. White can play on the kingside with f4 or the queenside with b4. Pretty dangerous if you ask me if black is not prepared!
Originally posted by wibTotally true though 🙂
Please ignore the crazy gambiteer named Paul. He wouldn't play the English unless it was at gunpoint. 🙂
Just kidding Paul.
And when I do have to face it, I invariably flip the dutch at it and pick fights in the center. Either that or try and refute the whole thing by offering the b pawn, which tends not to work. :-)
Originally posted by paultopiaYeah, something tells me that is there was a refutation to the English, it woulda been found by now! Hehehe...
Totally true though 🙂
And when I do have to face it, I invariably flip the dutch at it and pick fights in the center. Either that or try and refute the whole thing by offering the b pawn, which tends not to work. :-)
Originally posted by !~TONY~!Yep, it's d5. Sorry. That's what I get for typing after midnight. 🙂
I think d4 must be a typo. It's d5. White normally plays something like c4, g3, Bg2, and Nc3...sometimes d3, e3, Ne2. Or sometimes Nf3. It's a really amorphous opening that can go so many different ways. White can play on the kingside with f4 or the queenside with b4. Pretty dangerous if you ask me if black is not prepared!
Originally posted by KWCoronaA friend of mine has a book on it, and he reckons the goal is control of the white squares. Other than that, I know nothing about it.
There are some that use this opening, but I have never played against it. Is there anyone that can give me a summary of the goals of the english??
D
the goals of the english opening are the same as in a lot of the sicilian lines: let the opponent take the center and then try to counterattack it and create activity on the flanks.
But it does not have to be a closed game, that depends on what black choses to play.
I love going into the reversed dragon with white but i would not call it closed.
