I don't see why you should restrict yourself to playing for a draw when the endgame is supposed to be pleasant for Black. It is a very sound opening, the downsides are If the opponent plays 2. e4, then you need to be prepared to play a Pirc and if they play 2. Nf3 then you need to know how to play the King's Indian. Alternatively you could try 1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 g6 4. Nc3 Bf5 which Caruana played against Akobian recently at the Isle of Man. As for books I don't think are any as it 1. d6 is highly transpositional and requires some knowledge of other openings.
English Rat Defense
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Oct 4, 2017
0
#3
I don't persay, play for a draw, I just feel that this kind of play leads to more drawish games, I want to win, but when facing opposition 200 pts over me, I keep in mind the drawing chances. Also I feel I already have some understanding of pirc and KID, but I know i'll have to work on those openings as well.
Jun 26, 2020
0
#6
You don't need to play a Pirc if White plays 2.e4. You can play a Philidor or more particularly the Black Lion: 1.d4 d6 2.e4 Nf6 3.Nc3 either (a) 3…e5 (which offers a similar queenless middlegame as the English Rat) or (b) 3…Nbd7. See Simon Williams' course on the Black Lion on Chessable, for example.
Jun 26, 2020
0
#7
Jim_Ratliff wrote:
You don't need to play a Pirc if White plays 2.e4. You can play a Philidor or more particularly the Black Lion: 1.d4 d6 2.e4 Nf6 3.Nc3 either (a) 3…e5 (which offers a similar queenless middlegame as the English Rat) or (b) 3…Nbd7. See Simon Williams' course on the Black Lion on Chessable, for example.
Did you notice the OP has closed his account?
So I've been looking at the english rat defense, (d4 d6 c4 e5) as a regular opening in my system. Mainly for when I am looking for a draw from my opponent. I'm wondering if it's sound, and if it's worthy of studying, and if there are ANY books on this rare opening. (i'm 1800 uscf btw.)