The anti-Grünfeld, the anti-Nimzo and and anti-QID are of course somewhat similar to the respective d4 opening, but they are different and can be a very good reason to play 1.c4 (or 1.Nf3). More so than your suggestion of anti-QGD, in my opinion.

"White can easily avoid GID and NID/QID (and others)"

Not so fast! It's not at all easy to avoid a King's Indian. To do so usually lands you in an inferior line. I've checked Dynamic English, Soltis' book, and others...usually a transposition to the Fianchetto KID is indicated or you get a sloppy line that actually works against White. At least in my study and experience this has been the case.

F22 wrote on 09/21/09 at 06:58:17:


I disagree. White can easily avoid GID and NID/QID (and others). This is important. It's a matter of taste if you prefer playing vs NID/QID (and others) or you think you have better chances of getting an advantage vs 1.c4 c5 or 1.c4 e5. [White can also try 1.Nf3 which avoids many e5 lines but it's less flexible.]

If you don't understand the point of the english opening or transpositions to d4-openings you're surely better off getting a beginner's book on openings.

The simple view of the opening is that leads to positional play and let's white choose whether to enter d4 openings or not (vs other responses than 1...e5 and 1...c5). No Nimzo, Benkö, Benoni, Grünfeld and others. 

Books like Khalifman's on Kramnik's repertoire enters d4 openings. Kosten's and Marin's stay away from d4 openings.

Versus 1...e6 and 2...d5 black can choose to play QGD, Catalan or Reti. Reti is the simpliest but has had a reputation of not putting much pressure on black. I'm keen to see what Marin suggests.

I assume that is when your opponent doesn't play e5, then you play d4 and transpose into queen's pawn openings.

Which leads me to wonder if there's any benefit in playing the english. I 'm fascinated by the positions it creates, unfortunately though, I see no use for it if I intend to meet non-e5 responses with d4. Then basically it's as if I 'm giving my opponent more options on move 1 and should be opening with d4 in the first place.

Thus, it's definetely the second book that will decide whether this is worth it or not.

All of these good reviews are making me want to get this book too! Essentially the repertoire looks like a new version of Kosten's Dynamic English, but with a bit more theory to get your teeth into.

Regarding the 2nd book - if the repertoire starts 1.c4 + 2.g3 then its safe to say we are going to get Reti setups vs 1...e6 and (possibly) a Reversed Sicilian against the KID move order. Its how Marin answers this last one will determine how useful and independent the whole repertoire is. Avoiding transposition to a KID is the English player's perennial problem. Unless you like the Rev Sicilian, of course.

The good news is, Marin's move order means the entire repertoire appears to be compatible with Avrukh's 1.d4 - so if you don't like the Reti lines, or the KID lines, then just switch to Avrukh.

I am about 40 pages in, and I absolutely love the book. Certainly a must for English players. His explanation is insightful, and his coverage in quite good. Even though I've played the English on and off since the start of my chess career, I am still surprised as to how Dynamic and incisive the positions become ones the sides plans run smack into each other. Certainly the best book written on 1. c4 e5 so far. If Volume 2 is anything like Volume 1, my life is complete!