Well, there are many diagonals for the Bishops and Bishops do move diagonally, so saying "I like to utilize my bishops on the diagonal" doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
That said, if you are defensive minded, and don't want your Bishops hemmed in behind the pawns, possibly the Caro-Kann is the line you should be looking at. Maybe pick up "The Caro Kann: Move by Move" by Lakdawala. That said, you still have to look out for opportunities that White gives you and know when to attack!
Thank you. I was looking at the caro kann and French. In regards to the bishops I should have put that better!
You could play the Scandinavian Defense 1.e4 d5. Less theory than the sicilian, and it is different for sure.
Caro-Kann sounds good.
The Pirc also fits your specs if you can handle White's center domination while you snipe from the wings.
However, perhaps you're giving up on the Sicilian too fast. There is the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon with a fianchettoed king's bishop and it synergizes with your Engllish knowledge.
The H-A Dragon cuts out a huge amount of Sicilian theory. And there is a book, "Chess Openings for Black Explained" by Alburt et al. which maps out a full repertoire based on it.
I am looking at the Dragon at the moment and not keen on the emphasis on main piece exchange on c3. Does the hyper move down different paths?
It's main distinction is Black doesn't play d6, thus preserving the possibility of a d5 break in one fell swoop.
An exchange on c3 can happen, but it's not a standard feature of the H-A.
Thank you for the advice. I will definitely reconsider.
On a separate note when I last played seriously the internet was not widely available for chess. This is a great time to get back into it.
The Sicilian does NOT stink, but I recommend the French Defence for the defensive, counter-attacking minded. Even Bobby Fischer found the French tough to crack.
The Maroczy deters me from the H-A.
However, OP plays the English, so presumably he has some awareness of Maroczy positions reversed, such as 1.c4 c5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.Nf3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Nc3 Nc7 7.0-0 e5.
I love the french, but if you love those bishops, Caro-Kann or Sicilian even may be the best choices.
I believe that the french would be Impractical for you.
In any event over half the H-A section in the Alburt book is devoted to the Maroczy.
I am a returning player after a 20 year absence to the game and want to learn a defence to e4 other than the standard e5. I am slightly defensive minded and like to utilise my bishops on the diagonal. My preferred opening on white is the English, however I am put off the sicilian due to the amount of theory associated with it. Any recommendations for a defence and book?
When you play the English as white, Accelerated Dragon is the natural choice and shouldn't be more theory than most other openings that have been recommended here.
Caro kann all the way, though if you end up in the advance variation, your bishops might be a bit stifled. In fact, you'll likely lose your light squared bishop early and have difficulty activating your remaining one for a while into the game.
I am looking at the Dragon at the moment and not keen on the emphasis on main piece exchange on c3. Does the hyper move down different paths?
The main line Dragon is too much theory for you. (Incidentally it's too much theory for me, too.) That aside, it's white who should fear the exchange sacs on c3, not black.
The Accelerated Dragon can be played the standard way (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6) or the "hyper-accelerated" way (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6). I have played the latter for years, as I was too lazy to study theory on the Rossolimo, which it prevents. But objectively (which on your level should in this case not make a difference) it's the weaker option, as it allows white a choice between many unpleasant lines:
3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 and now 5.Nc3, 5.e5 and 4.Bb5 are all a little bit better for white.
3.c3 Bg7 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5 and both 6.e5 and 6.Bb5 are slightly better for white.
All provided he knows what he's doing, and it's not too much of an advantage. These lines can still be played on GM level.
Thank you for the advice. I will look at the H-A Dragon (in the 1st instance to get going again) and Caro Kann, while I relearn the game and all the tricks and traps.
Don't focus so much on openings. One answer against 1.e4 is more than enough. And learning tricks and traps is a bad idea. Better work on your understanding of English/Acc Dragon middlegame positions, which incidentally are very similar.
You are right. My intention was to recommend a black opening for a player who plays the English with white. But actually for a beginner the English is also a poor choice, for exactly the same reasons. Beginners should learn classical chess: Either 1.e4 or 1.d4.
Luckily I am not a beginner, having played club chess and minor tournaments up until I was 20 (ok - that is probably classed as beginner to you guys). The memory of the English (which I learned at 17) is still hardwired into to me; if not the experience.
My reference to tricks and traps was a reference to me having forgotten all the pitfalls you can fall into. My idea (and appeal for help) was along the lines of pfren last post to help me shake off the considerable rust. Also for the fun of it.
This is a massive help in getting back into the game. Thank you.
I am a returning player after a 20 year absence to the game and want to learn a defence to e4 other than the standard e5. I am slightly defensive minded and like to utilise my bishops on the diagonal. My preferred opening on white is the English, however I am put off the sicilian due to the amount of theory associated with it. Any recommendations for a defence and book?