is the English aggressive?
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In the English the LSB is usually developed on the diagonal via g3 and bishop g2. Some lines of the English can be considered aggressive such as the Botvinnik system where white goes for an early f4. The English in general is mainly played for a positional game though, focusing on controlling some of the light squares in the center with pawns, the fianchettoed bishop, and possibly a knight on c3. You could also try and go for an e3, d4 push early on if you are looking for a more aggressive approach.
Dec 21, 2018
0
#3
that explains a lot. i keep forgetting I am suppose to habe a fianchettoed LSB.
f4 seems to shackle my Q. will try that.
I recommend the repertoire book by Mikhail Marin. It's illuminated me to all the tactical possibilities for white.
indian opening is good or not
indian opening is good or not
9thBlunder wrote:
I recommend the repertoire book by Mikhail Marin. It's illuminated me to all the tactical possibilities for white.
I don't want to criticize your answer but the recommendation of Marin's books (which is really good, indeed) feels a little bit overambitious as answer to the question where to develop the bishop f1.
JudgedHarshley might want to consider to check out other options as well. There are repertoires which play c4 and e3 with the idea to not fianchetto the bishop at all but mainly steer towards IQP or Maroczy positions (e.g. Cummings and Georgiev/Semkov or via 1.Nf3 Delchev). For the beginner who wants to avoid fianchetto I would only go for Cummings (today) as Georgiev/Semkov are not complete yet (only 1...e5 available) but overall quality is very good.
For Fianchetto English there are lower level books to get an idea like Starting Out: The English, or Dynamic English by Kosten (which seems to be out of print but is available via Gambit App for Android). The Marin repertoire leverages on Kosten but basic ideas are explained better (for lower rated players like me) with Kosten. There is also the classical "A strategic opening repertoire" by Donaldson/Hansen which doesn't go for Botvinnik System but for a Closed Sicilian Reversed which I like better. Not to forget Hansen one volume "Full Englisch Opening" which gives a good overview as well.
To summarize:
1) ask yourself where the Bishop feels good for you. I like Fianchetto, others don't.
2) get a lower level book for that specific setup (best case electronically to rush through more often).
3) Play and start to get a feeling for it.
Dec 23, 2018
0
#8
RonPaulsSteelBalls wrote:
E4 is great; and, also, greatly offends many average players.
What? No it doesn't
Dec 24, 2018
0
#9
Josimar73 wrote:
9thBlunder wrote:
I recommend the repertoire book by Mikhail Marin. It's illuminated me to all the tactical possibilities for white.
I don't want to criticize your answer but the recommendation of Marin's books (which is really good, indeed) feels a little bit overambitious as answer to the question where to develop the bishop f1.
JudgedHarshley might want to consider to check out other options as well. There are repertoires which play c4 and e3 with the idea to not fianchetto the bishop at all but mainly steer towards IQP or Maroczy positions (e.g. Cummings and Georgiev/Semkov or via 1.Nf3 Delchev). For the beginner who wants to avoid fianchetto I would only go for Cummings (today) as Georgiev/Semkov are not complete yet (only 1...e5 available) but overall quality is very good.
For Fianchetto English there are lower level books to get an idea like Starting Out: The English, or Dynamic English by Kosten (which seems to be out of print but is available via Gambit App for Android). The Marin repertoire leverages on Kosten but basic ideas are explained better (for lower rated players like me) with Kosten. There is also the classical "A strategic opening repertoire" by Donaldson/Hansen which doesn't go for Botvinnik System but for a Closed Sicilian Reversed which I like better. Not to forget Hansen one volume "Full Englisch Opening" which gives a good overview as well.
To summarize:
1) ask yourself where the Bishop feels good for you. I like Fianchetto, others don't.
2) get a lower level book for that specific setup (best case electronically to rush through more often).
3) Play and start to get a feeling for it.
this is great and most helpful. especially #1 in your summary. the fianchetto does feel awkward as I am comfortable with Ruy and Italian lines. sometimes when playing the English I will just park bishop next to my Q, e2, for simple development, link rooks.
will look for books as well :-)
i almost exclusively play the English and e4 opening, Scotch and Lolli attack. when I play the English it seems to speed things up but I find it difficult to get my LSB into the game.
am I doing it wrong?