Wanted - dead or alive.

[stevencarr]

Preferably alive....

I want a nice easy answer to 1 c4, that doesn't involve learning tons of theory.

[Roger de Coverly]

I want a nice easy answer to 1 c4, that doesn't involve learning tons of theory.

Provided you know tons of theory against 1. Nf3 and 1. d4, you choose something which amalgamates with your lines against these. Provided you are happy with Kings Indian positions, just playing 1. .. Nf6 and 2. .. g6 leaves only a limited number of true English lines to worry about. Another idea is to enter Hedgehog positions. Mostly you can set up Black's formation in almost any order, so from left to right you play Nf6, e6, Be7, d6, Nbd7, c5 (and xd4), Qc7, b6, Bb7 and a6. Theory is what you do next and move order tricks that try to secure a White advantage.

[Phil Neatherway]

There's also the option of playing 1. ... e6, with a view to transposing to the Queen's Gambit. Or 1. ... c6 transposing to the Slav.

[Mick Norris]

There's also the option of playing 1. ... e6, with a view to transposing to the Queen's Gambit. Or 1. ... c6 transposing to the Slav.

Never been sure about meeting c4 with c6 in case white plays e4 next

[stevencarr]

I play the Dutch, which is not a good line against c4, as White has d3 and e4, which leads to lines I don't like.

[MartinCarpenter]

Well then, why not play a dutch with your thematic e5 break already included? (1.. e5 and 2 .. d6 or f5.). If you're a stonewall obsessive then I dunno There are some very stable c5/e5 style pawn structures to aim at.

[Roger de Coverly]

I play the Dutch, which is not a good line against c4, as White has d3 and e4, which leads to lines I don't like.

That suggests playing 1. .. e6, which might provoke 2. d4. I don't know the theory of the d3 and e4 line in the English v Dutch, does the inclusion of g3 or Nf3 make it any easier for Black? If not then you are potentially back in English lines after 2. Nc3, 2. Nf3 or 2. g3.

A Leningrad Dutch player could try d6, g6 and Bg7 before disclosing the Dutch with .. f5. White could try c4, Nc3, Nf3 and e4, which doesn't help.

[Matt Mackenzie]

There's also the option of playing 1. ... e6, with a view to transposing to the Queen's Gambit. Or 1. ... c6 transposing to the Slav.

Never been sure about meeting c4 with c6 in case white plays e4 next

Well, 2....d5 is perfectly OK for Black then (and I say this as somebody who often plays 2c4 against the Caro-Kann)

If White is starting with 1c4 he might not know Caro theory very well either, so I would have thought you wouldn't be at a disadvantage there much of the time

[Alan Walton]

I still play the Dutch against 1. c4, but delay e6 until they play d4, when you go back into the main lines

Play goes something like this if they avoid d4

1. c4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d6 4. d3 e5 5. Nc3 Be7 6. e4 0-0

Here I have had a couple of games where they take on f5, where you get an interesting position where you sack the rook on a8 for some very open white squares

[Paul Dargan]

Myers' line 1.c4 g5 was my only repertoire for a decade against c4.

More seriously it makes sense not to pick English lines which you can only reach from 1.c4 or 1.Nf3 move-orders (e.g. those picking 1.c4 e5 as their first choice will probably need something else against 1.Nf3 - that might not be the best use of time preparing two anti-English lines).

Whether or not you try and make all of these the same as your d4 response rather depends on what you play against d4. So Kings Indian and QGD Tarrasch Players have something to work with - others may find it harder to get back into d4 positions they are familiar with.

This isn't just an issue for us mortals - I remember Jones got move-ordered into an anti-English outside his repertoire playing Kramnik at last year's London Classic.

Paul

[LawrenceCooper]

1...b6 can be mildly annoying for whites players used to following up with g3 but then you have to be prepared to give white the centre and try and undermine it

[stevencarr]

Myers' line 1.c4 g5 was my only repertoire for a decade against c4.

Apparently, after 1 Nf3, you have to prepare g5 with 1...h6

[Greg Breed]

Myers' line 1.c4 g5 was my only repertoire for a decade against c4.

Apparently, after 1 Nf3, you have to prepare g5 with 1...h6

The Grob for Black!
I tried that 2 days ago and got rather beaten up. Having said that a club mate of mine tried it a couple of weeks back and smashed his opponent with it, but he actually knows some theory behind it, whereas I just go on a wing and a prayer!