lichess.org
Donate

Something sharp against English opening?

As an English player, I can tell you that anything with c6 is soooo annoying - maybe not sharp, but annoying. If you're looking for sharp, try e5 f5 Nf6. If you want to sac a pawn for a tempo, you might try the reasonable 1. c4 d5 2. cxd5 Nf6 3. Nf3 c6 4. dxc6 Nxc6. I wouldn't play 1...d5 any other way, though. Just loses you tempos like crazy in my experience.

Bb4 (trading off the c3 knight) is usually a good idea, because that N is helps with white's strong grip on the light squares.

That's another thing - you'll either want to fight white's light-square grab, or ignore it and go for the dark squares. Don't try to do both at once.

Also, if you don't put in c6 first, be careful if you try to do an e4 pawn push, because that usually loses a pawn to Ng5, which often attacks your e-pawn with three pieces.

Example: lichess.org/NI6wYAwR

Best of luck!

@Water_Flame
You probably won't like this idea, but against the English I play 1...f5?! and try to transpose the position into a Stonewall Dutch. Weird, but it works for me.
Try to find Victor Bologans book(chessbase book) about c4 e5.
c4 e5, g3 Nf6, Bg2 h6 is a really strong move.c4 e5,Nc3 Bb4 and youre good to go

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.