The Botvinnik System · English Opening Theory

[@HangingPawns]

For easier navigation, you can find the PGN with all the variations imported on www.patreon.com/hangingpawns Just search for the English or Botvinnik System or type "opening" into the search bar and all that are available should be listed there.

[@MISCHEIVIOUSLOKICHESS]

Thanks this is very helpful

[@tomelaos]

i play it myself. coudnt find a good video about it, until HP made one. great work. ur channel is the best

[@jefftaylor1186]

When I was 13-14, I read a book of Botvinniks games in the world championships and it all made sense to my brain. I started playing almost everything Botvinnik played regularly. The English, the Caro-Kann, and the Semi-Slav with massive success in up until the point when I quit in my late teens. So I always recommend it.

[@mando.-fg5ew]

do you still remember the book's name?

[@jefftaylor1186]

@@mando.-fg5ew I don’t honestly remember the exact title, but it was something like “The Chess world championships 1950-1959” Not technically a Botvinnik book, but he’s definitely in all the games

[@tungnguyenuc579]

thanks a lot for this video. i have been struggling when facing the e5 line

[@andrewwalkom4986]

I loved this video. I am looking forward to learning more about the English Opening. By chance, it is the first opening I tried to learn and the more I learn, the more I like it.

[@Luv2Boogie]

This was a good summary and clarification in under an hour 👍

[@tonysu8860]

A few general comments... I'd probably repeat what I've said in previous videos of your very ambitious English series... Learning, memorizing or even basing your study of the English on specific lines is probably not the right approach. Most English games are very positional and the tactics remain latent and don't actually happen unless they're allowed to happen. Tactics generally become possible only after extensive preparation requiring several moves and are possible organically in the position rather than as some tricky opportunity. Additionally, the English player should create his move order based on his understanding, objectives and personal preferences. So, for example in my English games I generally put a question to Black early asking whether he'll permit me to have a Big Center and the English Stonewall (aka Botvinnik system) is one incarnation of that objective. To be consistent with this objective, I don't fianchetto my KB first which requires 2 moves and only supports the center, I advocate playing Nc3 and e4 immediately to occupy the center immediately and dare Black to counterattack. To achieve the English Stonewall aka Botvinnik, it's important to occupy first, then support. Otherwise if Black plays something that prevents or challenges playing e4, it's doubtful that move can have the same effect because if Black controls e4 before I can occupy that square, the Black will have first opportunity to exchange or take that pawn e4. Keep in mind this aggressive move order allows the main line of the Mikenas attack/defense/line when Black plays Nf6, e6 and d5. Another major concept not covered in this video is that the English Stonewall (but maybe slightly different than the Botvinnik system with the KN developed to any square) is an important option in the Closed Sicilian and against the Boleslavky Wall(named by Aron Nimzovitch in "My System") that you call a Philidor or Pirc treatment but that there is a major but somewhat similar setup where instead of a Stonewall e3 is played instead of e4 which changes the character of the game completely. Instead of creating a near indestructible center and play off it, the objective instead is to destroy any opposing pawn presence and dominate the center unopposed by striking most likely with d4 but also possibly with f4. If the White English player intends to play positions that include d4 and e4, he must be well read on both the Maroczy Bind and Boleslavsky wall... The former related to the Sicilian and the latter a common result of the KID especially in the 1930-1950's and if White fianchettoes his KB, then of course the KID fianchetto variation by White. For the first 4 years or so playing the English, for simplicity and didn't play d4 to avoid all the theory and openings related to the binds and KID, then became good at playing against the KID so allowed that to happen but only against Black playing e5 (KID proper), and then lastly feel comfortable playing d4 against both c5 and e5 allowing both binds as well as more KID lines. It's been a long evolution, but the beginning English player should also consider for himself what he's willing to allow or disallow. The English can provide a fertile ground for complex little 3-5 move strategems of little pawn sacrifices, pawn levers, clearances, passers, blockades and more. There can be elements of hypermodernism and classical concepts, often in tension with each other. Part of the attraction of the English Stonewall aka Botvinnik system is the harmony of the piece placement and control of the game where Black usually is unable to choose the direction of the game. But for all those reasons a control freak might like to play the English Botvinnik system, it also means that there likely won't be a quick kill in the opening or even in the middle game. A lot of games will likely be decided in the endgame because tactics that win pieces won't appear that often unless a Grand Scheme work or a player blunders badly. I won't criticize the analysis and evaluations in this video much except to suggest that it'll be interesting for Stjepan to review this and his other English videos after a few years of playing the English. I think a lot of the opinions he has throughout will change greatly from "I think I'd like to have White" to "This position is interesting but unclear." That's because with more experience playing the English, you find that there is a lot more in its complex positions than meets the eye. One last comment I'd make is that tempo and initiative is at leas as important in closed positions compared to open. In closed positions, the result might not be immediate devastation but suffering and inevitable demise by multiple possibilities. Too many of the stratagems described in this video are long winded to seriously consider. The English is not like the closed Ruy where long maneuvers are common. A good feel for initiative is important in the English to gradually build a superior position. It's probably the reason why so many beginners who play the English are unable to create an advantage, it's because they aren't able to conceive plans that actually threaten so end up in positions of stagnant equilibrium looking for tactics that don't exist. Despite my comments, I still find this series extremely interesting and expect to see better English club play because of this series.

[@rogersmith738]

in my opinion,if you dont fianchetto your KB it doesnt count english opening at all.the main reason fianchettoing the kb is protect your kb at all costs,then save it to the endgame.

[@jefftaylor1186]

Yeah pretty much. I started playing the Botvinnik as a 13-year-old because it was frustratingly positional for most other players my age. I never played for checkmate, I always tried to grind down to an endgame, because I knew most players my age would sacrifice something for no reason to try to open the position and then lose the game. And it happened a lot.

[@niemandisda]

At 36:21 there is a small trap. You can play Bh6! And if he takes with his bishop, you can win his queen. Amazing video tho! Hvala brate

[@dattebayo81]

how can white win the queen when f6 is protected by the knight

[@grungyful]

it is a trap to lose the bishop :D

[@IlSigPin]

Awesome series, as always the most informative opening videos on youtube. But on a side note: isn't the video on the symmetrical systems missing?

[@user-km9zj8lb3x]

This is what I've been waiting for thank you so much. I really appreciate your chanel, it is very helpful..

[@totomerino569]

Will the english videos continue? This is gold.

[@sajadsadani7071]

thank you man for this amazing, exceptional and detailed English opening series. you're a great teacher. is there any possible that you teach us nimzo Larsen attack? this is gonna be useful for us in rapid and especially blitz tournaments.

[@styenwanninayake3]

8:06 One of the best lessons ever🎉🎉

[@banzaiburger9589]

When I started playing otb chess again after 17 years of no chess, I played the Botvinnik English exclusively for a while. It served me well against the booked up underrated kids while I caught up on opening theory.

[@dkpandey1996]

I've waited years for this one to drop, no kidding.

[@gg77tt66]

Thank you

[@styenwanninayake3]

47:49 Best lines ever❤

[@peterstone1916]

What about f4-f5-f6 before trading bishops on h6, that way black's bishop is shut out by the pawn on f6?

[@haj5776]

33:55 How to deal with f5 as white

[@TheDaRkUs06]

Thank you Stephan 👏🏻

[@theexodia9166]

What do you think about going into the Botvinnik system in the Sicilian (with 1. e4 c5 2. c4 ...)? Do you think it's any good?

[@siraf1234]

Youre transposing, so I'd say go for it if you want to

[@Yvoyalaruina]

So thanks for doing this video

[@Nimzowitz]

Awesome! I think I'll try it.

[@Dean_Winchester0]

Great Serie when you're going to make the reversed Sicilian variation video ?

[@beanzz6906]

Hello Stefan I was just wondering will there be any opening theory against the hedgehog or symmetrical English?

[@user-nr3wh9gc3q]

Please post Symmetrical Part

[@Igor-mg8jm]

Will be Video about c4 b6?

[@talongodin2253]

Can you still play a Botvinnik system if your opponent plays 1...d5?

[@claytonbenignus4688]

At circa timestamp 29:41, what prevents c5?

[@zbotwilly4493]

Or an colle system but on King side

[@maxaxmatovski7848]

Hi Stjepan, one question. What do you do with White when Black copies you completely by playing the Botvinnik System himself? I find it very hard to prove any advantage for White there...

[@tonysu8860]

My recommendation. Realize ahead of time that if you wait too long to play an unbalancing move, the position will eventually become locked and stagnant. So, think of a stratagem that can't be copied eventually. It's usually a pawn lever of some type. The best he'll be able to do is copy your pawn lever but if you choose the right idea, he won't be able to capture like how you did. If he realizes what you're doing, then he'll likely be forced to change first, and that is the time you have to figure out how to take advantage of his choice.

[@alexcao7502]

Go for the plan of a3-b4, playing on the queenside. You are white so you will get your break in faster, and then go for the d4 break at the correct time if possible

[@definitelynotrenz7853]

Make a video about the annoying symmetrical variation, or should I call it the copycat variation

[@bruhifysbackup]

Annoying? It's the only thing I know to play vs the English

[@edoggo1887]

It was in the introduction to English video so probably will have a video

[@tonysu8860]

If you play another player who also considers himself an English specialist, it makes sense for him to play the symmetrical. You shouldn't think of it as annoying Think of it as a battle, argument or challenge he thinks your English play sucks compared to him. 😀

[@zbotwilly4493]

Looks like a Czech Benoni :)

[@bishop6308]

No views dang

[@greezchum76]

Its very early

[@citizen6458]

You showed up immediately. What do you expect