8. Counter the English Opening

Course 78 episodes
(3 hours 58 min)

Creators GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes

One of the most popular 1st moves you’re likely to face with Black is 1.c4, also known as The English Opening.

It’s a solid opening where the structure often remains flexible and closed.

Many amateurs struggle to play against such openings because often it’s easy to make a reckless move that can create long-term problems.

So how should you play against 1.c4? ...

This course will give you a practical repertoire starting with 1...c5!

Below are some of the diagrams from this course:

Once you finish the course, you'll feel very comfortable playing against 1.c4.

Let's start the journey!

What you'll learn

A step-by-step guide on how to play the Symmetrical English with 1...c5!
The strategy for both sides in this opening.
A rare but perhaps the strongest continuation against one of White’s solid setup — Botvinnik System.

Lesson Plan

78 episode(s) 3 hours 58 min

Course overview

Unlocked 36s

1. The Maroczy we've covered

Unlocked 33s

2. White Options

Unlocked 57s

3. Why 2...g6 is the most flexible move?

Unlocked 1m 55s

4. The philosophy of e5 move

Unlocked 1m 29s

5. Karlson L. - Gonzales G. J.

Unlocked 7m 22s

6. A strategical attack

Unlocked 5m 53s

7. The plan with 0-0-0

Unlocked 3m 33s

8. Let's go to the theory

Unlocked 13s

9. Introduction

57s

10. Explanation of d6 and e5 difference

1m 55s

11. Explanation why we have to play a5 after a3

1m 28s

12. Introduction to 9.Rb1

1m 43s

13. Wang Y. - Malakhov V.

4m 35s

14. Sepp O. - Kryvoruchko Y.

4m 0s

15. Adasme F. - Delgado R.

3m 24s

16. 10.Nd5

1m 23s

17. Kovalenko I. - Gabuzyan H.

8m 26s

18. 10.Bg5

1m 26s

19. 9.Ne1

2m 16s

20. 6.d3 with7.Nd2 Idea

1m 20s

21. Conclusion

56s

22. Introduction

1m 6s

23. Dimitrov R. - Spasov V.

5m 17s

24. Kantsler B. - Markowski T.

6m 17s

25. Alejandro07 - Gabuzyan H.

4m 19s

26. Petenyi T. - Duda J.

5m 2s

27. Concrete theory introduction

3m 23s

28. Machin R. - Dominguez P.

4m 36s

29. Carlsen M. - Aronian L.

5m 5s

30. 11...Bg4 improvement offer

31. Conclusion

32. All in one

1. Introduction

2. Options of White

3. 7.Nf3

4. Model game with 9.Ne1, NN - Gabuzyan H.

7m 3s

5. Model game with 9.d3 - 10.Nd2

8m 11s

6. 7.e3 - 8.Nge2

2m 28s

7. Model game with 7. e3 - 8.Nge2

8m 35s

8. Conclusion

47s

33. Introduction

46s

34. Introduction to 5.E4

43s

35. What if White allows pawn sacrifice with 6...b5

2m 22s

36. 9.Nec3

1m 42s

37. Introduction to 11...e5

1m 35s

38. Introduction to 10...Ne8-11...e5 idea

6m 43s

39. What to do if white uses our idea?

1m 35s

40. Conclusion

39s

41. Introduction

42s

42. Introduction to the ideas

2m 14s

43. White's options in main position

2m 7s

44. Introduction to 6.Be2 - 7.Nxd4

46s

45. 8.cxd5

1m 48s

46. 7.Nxd4 - 8.0-0

1m 51s

47. Introduction to 7.exd4

55s

48. The key of playing against isolated pawn

17m 42s

49. Introduction to another idea

26s

50. Teske H. - Shanava K.

4m 32s

51. Strong idea for black

3m 9s

52. 9.c5

1m 24s

53. Introduction to 6.d5

2m 56s

54. Game with 9...Bg4

4m 16s

55. Nakamura H. - Vachier M.

4m 31s

56. Conclusion

35s

57. Ptacnikova L. - Gabuzyan H.

10m 14s

PGN File Download

1. Introduction

1m 20s

2. White's options

1m 20s

3. Quiet 14.Bd2

3m 3s

4. The most principal 14.Na4

1m 59s

5. 14.Na4 with 16.Bd2

3m 3s

6. Accepting sacrifice with 16.Qxc6

5m 17s

7. The difference between 14.Na4 and 14.Ne4

52s

8. Novelty in 14.Ne4_15.Nxc4 line

3m 16s

9. 14.Ne4 with 15.dxc4

3m 48s

10. Prithu G. - Shankland S.

4m 9s

11. Spoelman W. - Bok B.

3m 28s

12. 13Bd2 with 14.Ne4

1m 28s

13. Conclusion

1m 19s

Students give this course an average of 5 out of 5 stars.

Let's go

Or get lifetime access

Course 78 episodes (3 hours 58 min)

Creators GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes

Take a quiz

Add to favorites