English Defense with f3

 In this post we are going to learn most interesting and courageous defense for black against d4 and c4 the English defense.

This is a opening that is useful to play against d4,c4 and it is called English opening because this is popularize by the English players GM Raymond Keene , Gm Tony Miles, Gm John Speelman.

This is very exciting and aggressive way to meet d4 and c4 . The basic setup you are going is e6,b6,B7.

 This is the reason it is called hyper modern opening. Black aim to attack the center from the sides. If you want to make the white out of opening books then English defense is a good choice.

The move order of this opening is , White c4 then b6, if white starts with d4 then e6. If white play d4 and you play b6 white can play e4 and white is clearly better here.

Here white is forcing you to play French defense, that is the reason you should have some understanding about French defense if you are playing English.

d4 e6

e4 d5 the French Defense

In this Lesson we are mainly focusing on 

1.d4 e6

2.c4 b6

3.e4 Bb7

Immediately attacking the center. Another move order is also possible

1.d4 e6

2.c4 b6

3.Nc3 Bb7

4.e4

The whole point of this defense is attacking the white center.

In this position you can develop a piece and attack the center.

Nf6 is not a good idea as they can play e5 and attack you knight.

Bb4 is the better way to do it. Attacking the center indirectly by pining the knight.

Bxe4 is the threat winning a pawn. Now white have 2 main choices like Bd3 and f3. In this lesson we are looking deeply into the f3 option.

The whole idea of this defense can be divided into 3 steps

Step 1 : Bb7

 Step 2: Bb4

Step 3 : f5

Here f5 move is very crucial, we need to open up the position. 

How should white deal with f5 move?

What if white take exf5, Don't take back the pawn, here we have very interesting ideas  in English defense. 

Knight to h6 we are going for quick development .We developed 3 pieces, Bb7,Bb4,Nh6. The pawn scarifies line Nf5, Qh4+, castle quickly and Rook on F file.

White can simply take in the h6 then we will give Qh+ , g3 ,Qxh6 we will have dark square control.

If white is greedy and take fxe6 Qe3+, Be2 Qxc3 Kf2  no need to take the pawn just continue with 0-0 threats on f3.

1.c4 b6

2.d4 Bb7

3.Nc3 e6

Only go for this setup when white is having a pawn on c4. White grabs the space with 

4.e4d Bb4

5.f3 f5

6.exf5 Nh6

7.fxe6 Nf5

If white take d7 pawn them Nxd7. We are 2 pawns down but 4 pieces developed and a horrible threat of Qh4+. 0-0, Re8 . This is a dangerous position for white.

8. Ne2 0-0

9. Bf4

When you aim to attack your opponent's king ask yourself these questions.

Q1. Do I have good piece development?

Q2. Do I have safe king?

Q3. Is the opponent compromised in some way?

Here the opponent king is in the middle, and his development is bad. It's time to attack.

In this line f3 we have this move Qh4+ to aim white to play g3 and then he has weakened f3.

9.Qh4+

10. g3 Qe7 Here Rooks comes to e8 and very good attacking position for black.

The knight h6 idea only works in this f3 line, because he can't bring his knight to f3 easily and we have the option of Qh4+.

1.c4 b6

2.d4 Bb7

3.Nc3 e6

4. e4 Bb4

5. f3 f5

6.exf5 Nh6

7.fxe6 Nf5

8.Ne2 0-0

9.Qb3 

When you opponent's king is in the middle of the board you need to open up the files and lines.

Attack and keep the initiative.

9. c5

10 exd7 Nxd7

11.d5 Ne5

12. Nf4 Qh4+

13.Kd1 Nd4

14.Qa4 Rxf4

15 g3 Qh5

16. Bxf4 Qf3

17 Kd2 Qh1

Here Black will win in style.

Remember the move order d4 e6, c4 b6. Nc3 Bb7

1. d4 e6

2. c4 b6

3. e4 Bb7

4. f3 f5

Try to open up the center.

5.exf5 Nh6

6.fxe6 Nf5

7.Bd3 Qh4

8.Be4 Bxe4

9.Qxd4 Bc5

10 Exd7 Kf7

11.Qd2 Bd3

12 Qxd3 Qf2#

This gave illustrate how aggressive and interesting is the English Defense.