Why 2 Nf3 and 3 d4 is White’s Main Line against the Sicilian

Posted on August 9, 2011 by James Mansson

When I started playing chess seriously and studying the opening, the books I consulted were generally good at showing what were (or had been) the main lines of play. However, in a number of instances, they didn’t give any explanation as to why certain obvious approaches were not employed. One opening where this was especially evident was the Sicilian, which I took up for Black early on and have played pretty consistently since then. Continue reading →

Posted in Opening Analysis, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: Other Black Defences

Posted on July 16, 2011 by James Mansson

In this post I intended to wrap up my series on constructing a repertoire based on 1 Nf3 by looking at the Black systems based on moves other than 1…d5, 1…Nf6 and 1…c5. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Dutch Defence, The Modern Defence | 2 Comments

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Maroczy Bind

Posted on July 16, 2011 by James Mansson

The basic position of the Maroczy Bind arises after 1 Nf3 c5 2 c4 g6 3 e4 Nc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nxd4, although there are other move orders that reach both this and later positions within the system. In most opening books it is classified as a line of the Sicilian Defence, arising after 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 g6 5 c4, although it is perhaps just as likely to arise after 1 c4 or 1 Nf3. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Sicilian Defence, The Symmetrical English | 1 Comment

Horsham Chess Club Winners 2010-11 Season

Posted on July 15, 2011 by James Mansson

Having just received the official list from Ian Comley, our club secretary, I would like to record the various winners at Horsham this year. They are:

  • The Rook (Club Championship 1st Division): Phil Stimpson
  • The Bishop (Club Championship 2nd Division): Chris Heath
  • The Knight (Club Championship 3rd Division): Roger Waddingham
  • The Lightning Tournament: Anthony Higgs
  • The Quickplay King: James Mansson
  • The Quickplay Plate: Brian Donnelly
  • The Knockout: Phil Stimpson
  • The Knockout Plate: Paul Taylor
  • The Knight (Best Match Score): Iain Climie (4.5/5 = 90%)
  • The Peter Alford Cup (Juniors): Matthew Forster

Congratulations to everyone who won something, and commiserations to those who didn’t (and better luck next year).

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Horsham Club Championship 2010-11: Mansson – Harbott

Posted on July 13, 2011 by James Mansson

The season ended on a disappointing note for me on Tuesday, as I lost my last game in the club championship from a winning position. Peter played the opening rather rashly, but I didn’t analyse the position carefully enough, and ended up sacrificing several pieces for an insufficient attack. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Petroff Defence | Leave a comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Double Fianchetto System

Posted on July 9, 2011 by James Mansson

The Double Fianchetto System is similar to the Hedgehog System in its basic philosophy of establishing a solid set-up, with the potential to counter-attack should White over-extend. The basic position arises after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 b6 3 g3 Bb7 4 Bg2 c5 5 0-0 g6, although as with the Hedgehog, there are various different routes to that position. Although, as noted, this line has similarities to the Hedgehog, there are a couple of crucial differences, based on Black choosing to develop his king’s bishop with …g6 and …Bg7, rather than …e6 and …Be7. These can be summarised as:

  • The bishop is more active on g7 as opposed to e7.
  • The d5 square is weaker, and White can offer safely move a knight there, as …e6 is then less attractive both because Black has played ….g6, and also because as the bishop is on g7, it is less well placed to defend the d6 pawn.

These differences give the line its distinctive character. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Symmetrical English | 1 Comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Hedgehog System

Posted on July 9, 2011 by James Mansson

While variations on the basic Hedgehog formation can arise from a range of different openings, here we are concerned with the position after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 b6 3 g3 Bb7 4 Bg2 c5 5 0-0 e6 6 Nc3, which can naturally arise from a wide range of move orders. The essential characteristics of the position are:

  • White has put a pawn on c4 and Black has put a pawn on c5.
  • White has fianchettoed his king’s bishop with g3 and Bg2, while Black has counter-fianchettoed with …b6 and …Bb7.
  • Black has played …e6 and is therefore aiming to develop his other bishop on e7.
  • White is likely to play d4, which Black will meet with …cxd4, leading to the classic Hedgehog pawn structure.

When the classic Hedgehog pawn structure arises (after d4 cxd4), the game takes on the character of certain lines of the Sicilian. White has a space advantage, but in order to attack, he must expose his position in some way or other, which will give Black the chance to counter-attack. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Games, Opening Analysis, The Symmetrical English | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Championship 2010-11: Stimpson – Mansson

Posted on July 6, 2011 by James Mansson

It doesn’t now like I shall be able to complete all my club championship games, although I did manage to play another just after the Quickplay Knockout Final last night. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2010-11: Mansson – Forster

Posted on July 6, 2011 by James Mansson

I played the final of the Horsham Chess Club quickplay knockout last night against Mike Forster, and I emerged victorious 1.5-0.5. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The French Defence, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Symmetrical English with 2…Nc6

Posted on June 30, 2011 by James Mansson

One of Black’s trickier move orders in the Symmetrical English is 1 Nf3 c5 2 c4 Nc6. Here Black creates the possibility of …e5, hoping to establish a strong position in the centre. White needs to decide how to confront this. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Caro-Kann Defence, The Symmetrical English | 1 Comment