Article: 3436 of rec.games.chess.analysis Newsgroups: rec.games.chess.analysis Path: info!dregis From: dregis@exeter.ac.uk (D.Regis) Subject: Re: English Opening Message-ID: Organization: University of Exeter, UK. References: <3246B6E5.657F@ils.unc.edu> <324C047F.202F@sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 11:49:33 GMT In article <324C047F.202F@sympatico.ca> yorkshire@sympatico.ca writes: >Computer Lab User wrote: >> >> What's a good response to the English opening? >> Thanks > >I have been successful with 1...c6 in steering the character of the game >away from that associated with the English. After 2...d5 you usually get >a variation of the Slav (or Semi-Slav, your choice). You have to accept >the odd Panov-Botvinnik attack, but it's not too hard to diffuse that >with a little practice. >Dave B. The Panov is by no means forced for either side after 1. c4 c6 2. e4. Black can dodge by 2...e5, and White may prefer to take twice on d5 after 2...d5. >A very common reply to 2...d5 is 3.cd. I don't often play 3.cd; rather, after 1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. b3, we are in a position that is meat and drink to the English/Reti player. It's not easy for Black to get organised without either taking on a space disadvantage, or going for more space but exposing their centre to attack. It's a solid enough line but IMHO difficult to handle, and I push my juniors towards more active and counter-attacking lines. There are three major branches after 1. c4 besides 1...c6: 1...e5 1...c5 1...Nf6 There are others, like 1...g6 and 1...e6. It depends on what style CUL prefers to play, and how they like to reply to 1. d4. 1...e5 would suit a 1.e4 player who likes to attack, especially if they play (as White) the Closed Sicilian or (as Black) the Dutch. I think this is the best approach for beginners. 1...c5 would suit a Sicilian player who has the patience for a longer game but doesn't mind drawing occasionally. 1...Nf6 would suit a player who is angling for a version of their favourite Indian defence. 1...e6 (or 1...Nf6, 2...e6) is an invitation to transpose into the Queen's Gambit; if Black also plays the Tarrasch Defence it can be hard for White to avoid transposing into it. -- -- Dave Regis &8^D* a dry, fruity red From info!dregis Tue Oct 1 15:38:39 BST 1996