C4

i've one countless games with various openings all begining with pawn to C4. are there any people out there who use this opening and want to share with me WHY it works so well and maybe some variations of the c4?

I'm an english (1.c4) player and I can say that generally the strictly "english" lines coming from 1.c4 e5 or 1.c4 c5 are very interesting positionally, probably more interesting than some worn-out queen's gambit or spanish positions. Also, when black does not play 1...e5 or 1...c5 the english move order can be used to transpose to certain 1.d4 openings while avoiding others, similar to the move 1.Nf3. 

I agree with ericmittens.

After almost any black reply to c4 there is flexibility in white's choice, the game can transpose to a lot of different openings. Also almost all of the classic english lines give sharp play where black has to be on the ball tactically to get through to the endgame still equal. White can be a little more flexible.

I think maybe this uncertainty is what helps white, what do you think? Like ericmittens suggested the Ruy Lopez, for example, has been worn out with analysis and is perhaps a little more rigid.

C4 is a very powerful explosive and having C4 blow up in your opponent's face can give you a huge advantage in a game. I have used this technique in several tournaments.

 That's what I'm saying. c4 is such an uncommon opening, it's rare to find an opponent that knows how to deal with it. and even if they reply well, white still has the upper hand in the fact that white has countless "good" moves in response. it's just very interesting to me and i will continue to "study" it. thank you.

It's an opening played exclusively by madmen and lepers.

 And this is why that is my favorite opening. it brings the element of upredictability to the game, making your openent choose their peices. the end game almost always turns out in white's favor because white also sets up a tactical "peice-for-peice" exchange with its bishop(s) for blacks knight(s). and the fact that it does have a relatively "badass" name (C4) makes the opening even greater. thank you.

 i can't tell if you mean that in a good sense or not.

Don't listen to Kupov, I played C4 against Spassky a few times and I was neither a mad man nor a leper.

I am a ghost though.

I don't know if I played C4, but I sure did.

Or did we?

Absolutely right. I avoided it for a while but c4 is my move of choice now with white!

(ps I must congratulate you on the quality of nutters that your post has attracted - top notch!)

 also my move of choice as white. i'd be honored to play a game agianst you to maybe view your c4 strategy, see what you manage to get out of it. you could play me to and i can show you my theory on it aswel. thanks NS. i'll hook you up with a friend request. and i again agree with you on the fact that i did manage to bring a lotta fools into this forum. ha, first post i ever did here too! i get a lotta goofs to talk to me, however unintentional haha. *goof magnet*. Again, thank you.

I don't think anybody will have quite the same results with c4 like bobby fischer did.  Anybody remember his famous game with oscar panno?

 ha, that's the coolest thing i've ever heard.

Hahaha come on! Did he really resigned!?

 Yes, he did !  Poor Panno had probably been up all night preparing to meet Bobby's usual 1 e4 and when he saw 1 c4 instead he just couldnt take the shock and the wasted effort !? 

C4 is my move of choice.  The Botvinnik setup has been very successful for me.  I like the flexibility that C4 allows.