1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bb7?

The problem is after 3.e5 Black can no longer advance the d-pawn to it's Hippo position on d6. The same principle applies to 1.e4 b6. Either way, we are going to have a crippled Hippo.

It is important to note that Black, utilizing the Modern move order, can and should win the game after 3.e5. Databases indicate 56% wins for Black compared to 33% for White.

The problem for us, is that to win the game from this position requires moves such as ...c5 and ...Nc6 which clearly take us away from the Hippo formation. This move order is not recommended as superior in terms of winning the game, but will provides us with the best opportunity to reach the full Hippo formation in our Vote Chess games.

So, instead, we play
A) 1.e4 d6
B) 1.d4 e6
And both for the same reason - to counter the impact of an early center pawn advance by White and to establish a strong center.

A) 2.d4 e6
B) 2.e4 d6
1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 is a separate line to be considered independently but with the same principles in mind.

And now;
A) 3.e5 d5
B) 3.d5 e5
we simply advance the other pawn, locking up the center.

Locking the center in this manner forces play on the flanks, making things difficult for White.

This is still a Hippo as long as we follow with the other Hippo moves. In fact this is a common theme, although it usually occurs later when playing Modern or Owen move orders.
https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/view/tigers-hippo-1

This provides Hippo with a strong center and now we simply "react" defensively to White's moves and continue our Hippo build.

I watched GM Eric Hansen's Hippo Speedrun on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmP3EcwKhus

There are 17 episodes, 233 games. They are NOT good instructive Hippo games, except in the sense that they often show what NOT to do.

Most of the time he starts with the double fianchetto which allows the early advance of a center pawn and the opponents often play the early advance and he gets into trouble - but he wins the game - not because he played a valid strategy but because he is a brilliant GM playing against inferior opponents.

ChessGiant plays the Modern Defense move order and builds a Hippo when possible. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that if you are well versed in the Modern Defense and you don't mind being denied a Hippo.

But in our club we want to play the Hippo as much as possible and I believe the move order above provides us with the best opportunity to reach the full Hippo. The game doesn't really start until the Hippo build is complete.

<--- Our Goal

WMM

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