The Quills of the Fierce Hedgehog - An Introduction to a Strange Beast!

[@armandovanduijnhoven6479]

A fantastic video

[@taljechin]

Which strategic factors make the Hedgehog a good opening and the Hippo a bad one? Is it simply the half open files after the exchange c5xd4 that gives Black enough counterplay?

[@GMTalks]

Wow that is a big and deep question. I could write two pages on the subject. Hmm well first of all: the pawn structure is much better for black in the hedgehog (white's structure is fragile on both flanks). Second: blacks pieces have more space and there is a open c-file. Third the hedgehog is dynamic by nature and there is no secure way for white to avoid some explosive counterplay. In the Hippo the breaks have much less impact. Fourth: The knights are much more active in the Hedgehog. Especially the one on e7 in The Hippo often ends up on a 'wrong circuit'.