understanding the english

I havent played in over two years. I have been reading neil macdonalds book on the english and have decided that this is the opening I want to learn about. he doesnt really explain it in terms I can understand. What is the best most powerful way to play using the english or 1. c4

in response to your final statement, the english is "c4." A couple words of advice when playing it: if black plays passivly (such as never staking out a 5th rank pawn) then feel free to move to a queens gambit pawn structure [ie the queen gambit pawns on c4 and d4, while keeping the English fienchetto {pawn on g3 and bishop on g2} allowing exceptional play on the white diagnols, this opening is known as the Catalan]. Just be ready to tanspose, because there are many possible openings to land in, depending on how passive/active black is. Just have fun with it.

I am a bit of novice, I have the basics with some strategy, but did not understand anything you just said, can you put the english in english so a dummy like me can understand it...the english for dummies...hehehe

Originally posted by DestinyRestored
I am a bit of novice, I have the basics with some strategy, but did not understand anything you just said, can you put the english in english so a dummy like me can understand it...the english for dummies...hehehe

DestineyRestored

I think I have read one of your posts. . . .Something about your internal organs. . .Your liver?

Are you drinking yourself into oblivion?

not I although I am an addict and an alchoholic I haven't had a drink in five years.

Originally posted by c guy1
in response to your final statement, the english is "c4." A couple words of advice when playing it: if black plays passivly (such as never staking out a 5th rank pawn) then feel free to move to a queens gambit pawn structure [ie the queen gambit pawns on c4 and d4, while keeping the English fienchetto {pawn on g3 and bishop on g2} allowing exceptional play o ...[text shortened]... ossible openings to land in, depending on how passive/active black is. Just have fun with it.

I like this too. Having the d4 c4 pawns with the kingside fianchetto is very nice.

One question I have for c4 experts: do you prefer the kingside N on e2 or f3?

Originally posted by DestinyRestored
not I although I am an addict and an alchoholic I haven't had a drink in five years.

No offense. . .Would you like a game of chess?

I would love one, as soon as one of my games opens I will send over a challenge.

Originally posted by DestinyRestored
I would love one, as soon as one of my games opens I will send over a challenge.

Nice one. . .

For some reason when I was playing OTB in USCF tournaments i would always see 1) c4 followed by 2) d4 when I played either 1) ..Nf6 0r 1) ..e6. Makes mem wonder what they were hoping for after 1) c4. e5? c5??

No one will ever understand the English.😀

Just view any of my games on how not to play the english.

Basically almost every game I've ever played as white.

The point of 1.c4 is to control d5. Black can do things like play d5 or c6 to counter this, but then you are exchanging one advantage for another. The english tends to be a slower more strategic game without the fireworks you find in openings like the kings gambit or two knights game.

The English is all about the d5 square. Moves like Nc3, and g3 followed by Bg2 are very standard, since these moves help with controlling the d5 square. i would advise you to immediately go out and buy Tony Kosten's "The Dynamic English". Good luck! 😀

Originally posted by DestinyRestored
I havent played in over two years. I have been reading neil macdonalds book on the english and have decided that this is the opening I want to learn about. he doesnt really explain it in terms I can understand. What is the best most powerful way to play using the english or 1. c4

Hey, Robert.
Here are some variations of the English that might be helpful for you to consider? If you want more detail on these or other openings I highly recommend Nick de Firmian's book "Modern Chess Openings" 14th Editon.

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English Opening: Four Knights' Variation
1. c4, e5
2. Nc3, Nf6
3. Nf3, Nc6
4. g3

English Opening: Carl's "Bremen" System
1. c4, e5
2. Nc3, Nf6
3. g3

English Opening: Closed Variation
1. c4, e5
2. Nc3, Nc6
3. g3, g6
4. bg2, bg7

English Opening: Nimzo- or Queen's Indian Type Defenses
1. c4, Nf6
2. Nc3, e6
3. Nf3

English Opening: King's Indian English
1. c4, Nf6
2. Nc3, g6
3. g3, Bg7
4. Bg2, 0-0

English Opening: Symmetrical Four Knights' Variation
1. c4, c5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. Nc3, Nc6
4. d4, cxd4
5. Nxd4, e6

English Opening: Symmetrial Four Knights' Variation (with fianchetto)
1. c4, c5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. Nc3, Nc6
4. g3, g6
5. Bg2, Bg7
6. 0-0

English Opening: Hedgehog Defense
1. c4, c5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. Nc3, e6
4. g3, b6
5. Bg2, Bb7
6. 0-0

English Opening: Rubinstein / Botvinnik Variation
1. c4, c5
2. Nc3, Nf6
3. g3, d5
4. cxd5, Nxd5
5. Bg2, Nc7

English Opening: Ultra Symmetrical Variation
1. c4, c5
2. Nc3, Nc6
3. g3, g6
4. Bg2, Bg7


Well Robert, I hope this helped. 🙂
You can also feel free too look at any of my games here as well if you like. I have a few English ones that I've played, recorded here. They are far from perfect but maybe can be a little educational, though?

-- Paul