As you probably know by now, my course 1.c4 Simplified was printed just a few weeks in the past. On this submit I’d like to explain my method to the creation of the course and in addition define the 2 fundamental approaches in relation to the English Opening as an entire.
Typically talking, White can deal with the English Opening in two methods. One is to play in an “automated” approach: 1.c4, 2.g3, 3.Bg2, 4.Nc3/Nf3 after which taking it from there, relying on the circumstances.
The second approach is to play in a extra concrete method, 1.c4 after which relying on Black’s reply, to decide on a line that most closely fits our preparation technique.
There isn’t a proper or improper solution to deal with the English Opening – each approaches are completely legitimate. I’ve performed the English Opening utilizing the primary, “lazy” approach, for a few years, with wonderful outcomes. After shedding my final sport after 1.c4 in 2012, I’ve scored 8/9 ever since.
The explanation why in my course I took the opposite method is due to the elevated necessity for concrete play in fashionable chess. Because of engines, opening preparation has develop into “I’m going right here, he goes there” even within the slowest and non-forcing variations. With this in thoughts, I wished to create such a course for the English Opening, which has at all times been related to the “automated” method.
From the outset, this meant that White’s play must be extra centrally oriented and this in flip meant that an early d4 or e4 needed to be performed. With this understanding in place, the variations had been simpler to search out.
The primary theoretical drawback arose within the Symmetrical English after the strikes 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 (or 2…Nc6) 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6. The issue right here was that it had lengthy been established that the primary strikes 5.Nc3 or 5.g3 had been properly analysed and protected methods for Black had been discovered. I attempted to search out some hidden concepts in each these instructions, however to no avail.
It was solely upon stumbling upon the transfer 5.e3! with the entire idea of suspending growth of the knight on b1 (to keep away from the pin …Bb4) that the entire repertoire began to have that additional “edge” within the sense of one thing surprising and novel.
Botvinnik used to say that each robust participant ought to have their “personal” concept: strains and concepts the place their very own view of them is even barely completely different than that of established concept. This view may additionally be a private choice – for instance established and official concept could contemplate a place beneficial for one facet, but when the participant likes to play it with the opposite facet and has accomplished the mandatory analytical work to show that the place is objectively playable, then they need to be very assured in coming into that place.
I feel with the idea of suspending the event of the knight on b1 by taking part in 5.e3 I’ve managed to search out that valuable and uncommon space of “personal concept.” Established concept is appropriate that White doesn’t get any benefit after it (however the place does White get a bonus right this moment?) but with the analytical work behind the concept and the nice understanding of the positions that may come up after it, White has a superb sensible weapon in opposition to one of the crucial stable defences in opposition to 1.c4.
This is only one instance of a number of related concepts all through the course that I needed to discover, typically imposed due to transfer orders and attainable transpositions. As at all times in my programs, I’ve tried to stress the sensible side, typically going for less-explored options that may provide sensible possibilities in a sport due to the higher information and understanding of the following positions.
The English Opening is a wealthy opening with many various kinds of positions and one that may be performed in several methods. As stated above, this is determined by the participant’s style and choice, however the essential factor is to outline that style after which observe by means of with it. This will likely even imply mixing the completely different approaches based mostly on the concrete sport at hand. Both approach, the English is usually a dependable opening alternative and the one factor that is still to make it work properly is to review it.
