The Iron English is mainly based on the Botvinnik system and you either like it or not. I play the English but prefer playing it the classical way (my main source is Carsten Hansen's book), so I never bought the Iron English. But if you like the Botvinnik system, then it is probably a good choice as the authors have done some nice books.
I thought the English might be very interesting to play, with low levels of theory, instructive positions but with real winning chances.
What you really need - like all of us - is the "Lazy Man's Guide To Getting Rich", but seriously...
I played 1c4 for a couple of years. It is of course sound and is not played by so many people. It is almost a surprise weapon. Many do not prepare against it. If black does his homework with 1...e5 then white has a tough job IMO
Hi Everyone,
I am thinking about taking up the English and I wondered if anyone had read The Iron English and could recommend it as a starter for learning this opening?
A little bit about me to help you advise. I was once (nearly 10 years ago) 125 ECF (which is just over 1500 FIDE, no way near that now). Stopped playing chess (got bored learning openings) but decided to take it up again recently and I would like a good solid, but very low level maintenance opening repertoire that provides real winning chances for white. As black I intend to play the Scandinavian against 1 e4 and the classical Dutch against 1 d4. I do not like openings with long lines of theory, nor openings with many responses such as the Spanish which is not so much an opening but a family of openings. I am tempted by the London but it can but it can become very boring if you play it a lot.
I thought the English might be very interesting to play, with low levels of theory, instructive positions but with real winning chances.
I quite like Simon Williams as a writer and he is known as an aggressive player so I assumed he would chose lines with real winning chances for white. Richard Pallisser is also a great writer who plays winning chess.
So does anyone got any advice on the The Iron English? I would really appreciate it?