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English opening

English opening

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What to do best when someone opens with the English opening (c4)?

Olav

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..c5 with the goal of a hedgehog setup is a strong defense. ..c6 with the goal of ..d5 at some point is good as well.

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reply with 2...e5! and if possible develop your king bishop along the g1-a7 diagonal. and put pressure at the f2 pawn...cause usually white castles kingside..

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Olav,

look at the Giant Thread some ways back on the English! There is talk of this and some games I think. Chessnut and I had some good points in that one! 😀

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Thanks Tony!

We did have some good discussions about it. I like seeing ...e5 from Black as it sets up a reversed Sicilian type setup with an extra tempo for White.

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Right.....white can play 2. Nc3 with Ideas for a four knights English or can play 2.g3 looking for a Botvinnik or other systems, although transpositions between the two moves are definitely a possibilty! 😀

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I often respond with e5 and then follow with g6 in preparation for a king's indian style defense, with the indian bishop defending the e pawn.

-mike

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Nf6 is the most flexible reply to 1.c5

Often if someone plays c5 he is well prepared for the reverse Sicilian or symmetric defense...so you may want to think twice about those defenses.

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Originally posted by !~TONY~!
Olav,

look at the Giant Thread some ways back on the English! There is talk of this and some games I think. Chessnut and I had some good points in that one! 😀
I can't find it, do you have the url for me?

Olav

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Originally posted by LivingLegend
I can't find it, do you have the url for me?

Olav
Hey LL,

Try this.

http://www.timeforchess.com/board/showthread.php?id=3680

Let me know if it doesn't work.

Bryan😀

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Originally posted by ChessNut
Hey LL,

Try this.

http://www.timeforchess.com/board/showthread.php?id=3680

Let me know if it doesn't work.

Bryan😀
It does work!🙂 Thanks for the info, I learned a lot!

Now, what can you tell me about 1. d4 f5? (Dutch) as Tony said this was very good for black.

Thanks again,

Olav

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I don't play the Dutch but I know that the Stonewall Variation is a very solid defense. I believe the Super GM's use it a lot and Kramnik may have in his matches vs. Kasparov.

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Yeah, play the Stonewall....it's pretty systematic. You just play f5, e6, d5, and c6, I think the a bishop goes to d6, Knight at f6. Carry out a kingside attack. The only problem is the light squared bishop. You can maneuver it by Bd7-e8- h5 or something similar.