THE HIPPOPOTAMUS DEFENSE RETURNS.

[@TheChessGiant]

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[@skyeruddell3196]

Let's go!

[@LucasWeden]

A couple of weeks ago I started studying/playing the hippo defense and I really enjoy it because there isn't a ton of theory and its hard for your opponent to breakthrough. I also have been enjoying your content. Keep up the great work!

[@359nova]

Good luck in Las Vegas!

[@michaelallport5816]

Hey Solomon, your last game underscored developing questions in my mind.:(1)What is your preferred opening if you would not be able to play the Hippo for some reason?(2) Which "system" (Stonewall, London, etc. etc.) would you play if the aforementioned Hippo was not available?

[@mrpatzer]

Love the content Solomon. Hippo feels too cramped for me but I enjoy watching you crush with it.

[@GeorgeEpting]

That's cool what your going to do and I'll be watching and seeing my opening and theory are close to what you love to do I'm sure I'm positive when I see some things I'll give you what I got at my end of it❤😊

[@teacherlee3527]

I also think it's a great idea to transition to other openings depending on what your opponent plays too. Very interested in seeing some content on the neo-Modern!

[@Ebobster]

Great video. Very instructive on all levels. Great you’re back in the arena & sharing your bullseyes & misses. Chin up Champ; we’re all rooting for you! Warm ups will do you good. Love the neo-Modern option. Good luck in Vegas. :-)

[@teacherlee3527]

I learnt a ton from your losses as I do from mine. Thanks!

[@alancoe1002]

Thanks as always, Solomon. Get a system for opening so you can SURVIVE to study middle and endgame. I've always loved this system, as did the great Genrikh Chepukaitis. The Legend who beat both Tal and, FFS, Nezhmetinov!. Say his name!

[@alancoe1002]

If your goal was to teach, I salute you. I have learned.

[@randycarson9812]

You mentioned two draws. Do you play for a win or a draw as Black? I'd guess that you normally play every game for a win, but it may depend on your score in the tourney, I suppose. Is that something a video could cover...how to play for a draw with the Hippo?

[@KingPanda-lp5ir]

how do u play the hippo vs a fianchetto system as black

[@GeorgeEpting]

Ok black thats one way but not only just that you got into my knights queen jbird wings rook knight castle and the black bishop doesn't have to fianchetto and my rook pawn is up one on that side this opening goes up to 3200 now depending on how the pieces get moved the elo factor changes on each square that is chosen from this point on and I can almost guarantee the queen and knight in this position is greater than the two knights in this position done in proper command so what I'm trying to say ❤😊❤is before you got in the knights queen and or during or after the elo factors either stayed the same or it dropped and this is my studying of my openings and the values I'm working on and the two knights in center like this I call knights waiting for the name fits to what those knights are supposed to do from this position and like I said before I'm writing my book and it's legally done and soon official will be out and I can't speak for some else❤😊and it looks like your on the right path❤😊

[@calamfischer7009]

That first game doesn't make sense. Why wouldn't the opponent move thier horse thats all the way over on the left? Are these real games or scripted?

[@apekz3592]

It’s an endgame gamble

[@randycarson9812]

As white, why not b3 first? Wouldn't this create problems for the KID | Modern | Pirc players on the long diagonal? At the same time, I have observed that Black WANTS to trade off the dark square bishops after they fianchetto. Thoughts on this?

[@kevinjudy3332]

Black trading the fianchettoed bishop in the opening or middle game in most cases shows a lack of understanding, because the bishop disappearing leaves all the dark squares around the king weak. That’s why on a high level, masters typically won’t trade it off early in the middle game even if the end result is the winning of a pawn, since the long term weaknesses left behind means you must be ultra aware of kingside tactics for the rest of the game.

[@randycarson9812]

@@kevinjudy3332 If both sides have bishops on the long diagonal, something's bound to happen. So either I trade first, or I have to move my rook to cover my Bishop. Which approach is better?

[@alancoe1002]

Love the Bird/Larsen system.

[@FloatingSunfish]

Many thanks for another instructive Hippo video, Solomon! 💪🏿🦛 That lesson about keeping things simple was very admirable! The Hippo often gives us winning positions, but it's always up to us to actually win them.