What does a chess player need who is familiar with the rules, but often gets into trouble right away in the opening? This question was the starting point for the authors before they began to compile the material for a two-volume work about the English Opening. Volume 1 (published in 2024) deals with the Symmetrical Variation 1.c2-c4 c7-c5 and some rarely played side lines. Volume 2 covers the continuations 1.c4 e5 and 1.c4 Sf6 according to the guidelines of the series read understand play. The opening lines are explained in detail, with the authors paying special attention to the presentation of the inherent ideas and plans to ensure that the reader understands them properly instead of just playing moves learned by heart. Even the meaning and purpose of a single move may be explained, insofar as it is important for understanding. Based on the knowledge that the reader will surely acquire by studying this book, he will be able to use the discussed lines with the white and the black pieces in an appropriate way. At the same time, the work offers one or the other new idea that can surprise even an experienced opponent and promises interesting, entertaining and last but not least successful chess games. The correctness of the treated lines was checked with the help of leading engines.
Content: 007 Explanation of Symbols 008 Preface 011 Part 1 – 1.c4 e5 011 Introduction 029 Line 1: The continuation 2.g3 041 Line 2: The continuation 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 058 Line 3: The continuation 2…d6 063 Line 4: The continuation 2...f5 074 Line 5: The continuation 2...Bb4 083 Line 6: The continuation 3. Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 089 Line 7: The continuation 4.e3 101 Line 8: The continuation 4.e4 108 Line 9: The continuation 4.d3 112 Part 2 – 1.c4 Nf6 112 Introduction: 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 113 Line 1: The continuation 2…d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 115 Line 1A: The continuation 4.Nf3 122 Line 1B: The continuation 4.g3 12 Line 2: The continuation 2…e6 3.Nf3 128 Line 2A: The continuation 3...Bb4 138 Line 2B: The continuation 3…b6 152 Line 3: The continuation 3.e4 152 Line 3A: The continuation 3…d5 4.e5 162 Line 3B: The continuation 4.cxd5 exd5 5.e5 163 Line 3B1: The continuation 5...d4 165 Line 3B2: The continuation 5...Ne4 174 Line 4: The continuation 3…c5 190 Index of sources
