Category Archives: 1 Nf3 Repertoire

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.

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. Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Sicilian Defence, The Symmetrical English | 1 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 … Continue reading →

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, … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Caro-Kann Defence, The Symmetrical English | 1 Comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Symmetrical English with 2…Nf6 and 3…d5

Posted on June 25, 2011 by James Mansson

After 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 Nc3, an important option for Black is 3…d5. This is different to 3…Nc6 4 g3 d5, discussed in the previous post, in a couple of important ways: After 3…d5, White cannot play … Continue reading →

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1 Nf3 repertoire: The Symmetrical English with 2…Nf6 and 4…d5

Posted on June 24, 2011 by James Mansson

One of the features of symmetrical positions is that the same basic moves are possible for each side. However, because one side is a move ahead, the same move does not necessarily have the same value. For instance, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Games, Opening Analysis, The Symmetrical English | 1 Comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Semi-Tarrasch with g3

Posted on June 15, 2011 by James Mansson

The position after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 Nc3 Nc6 4 g3 e6 5 Bg2 d5 6 cxd5 Nxd5 can arise from a number of move orders after 1 Nf3. For instance, Black’s first and second moves can … Continue reading →

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1 Nf3 repertoire: The Ultra Symmetrical English

Posted on June 12, 2011 by James Mansson

One question in a range of openings is what happens if Black simply copies White’s move? Sometimes, of course, this is not especially good, e.g. 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c5 3 cxd5, but sometimes it is (arguably) the strongest … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Symmetrical English | 2 Comments

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Symmetrical English Overview

Posted on May 3, 2011 by James Mansson

For the purposes of our repertoire, the Symmetrical English encompasses those lines where Black plays …c5 before White has played d4, allowing him to answer that move with …cxd4. White will generally have played c4 already, or will play it … Continue reading →

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