Regardless of move orders, if pays off to play 1...e5 against the English from time to time, even if it's not your main answer.

If I had to say the openings I dislike facing when playing the English: Dutch, but 6 months ago it was KID, then I started playing it against d4 and when the opponent attempts to play KID, I consent to transpose into the mainlines.  Before that, and still somewhat so I disliked the whole 1...e5 response but this is less so as I look through Marin's vol 1.  I think 1...e5 offers the best chance for black to capitalize on a white mistep because white has to be prepared against so many ways of playing, but I think whichever line you choose, as long as it is somewhat forcing, it should place you on more equal footing because you only have to know one really good line.  White has to know a good line against each of the black attempts.

Would the readers recommend different defenses against the English when they know their opponent plays for attack versus positional?

BPaulsen wrote on 03/30/11 at 01:11:54:

While technically true, I do not know any players that routinely and consistently play for draws.  Most of us play to win except when a draw will win a tournament or when our hopes of winning are no longer realistic.

HoemberChess wrote on 03/29/11 at 11:07:39:


You may want to get a hold of the Daniel King's Power Play DVD on the Hedgehog, for a basic introduction and just play. Pick up the theory later. No point trying to study it too deeply until you have had some hands on experience in my opinion. 

TN wrote on 03/29/11 at 12:52:21:


According to Shipov, 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 is not effective becuase of 3... e6, when 4. Bg2 d5 is awkward for White, where White's best is 5. Nf3 allowing Black to still finachetto the QB

HoemberChess wrote on 03/29/11 at 11:07:39:


If you play the Kan, you should have some understanding of (sicilian) hedgehogs and could possibly play english hedgehogs without too much work as well. 

I'm not so fond of the Palliser book.

Klick wrote on 03/29/11 at 12:15:25:


O.K., that's what I guessed, too. Thanks.
The ultimate purpose is the Hedgehog but I don't think I would dare to play it already in the forthcoming summer tournaments.

Hi!

Let me ask a stupid question.

I don't compete much. (4-5 tournaments a year)
Versus 1.e4, I have been studying the Sicilian Kan, so as to apply it against less experienced players. (For the same reason, Nimzo+Bogo versus 1.d4.)
Against 1.c4/Nf3, which one is more economical (~less memory work) for me--to learn the English Hedgehog, started by 1..Nf6 (as in the "500+"-page book Complete Hedgehog, Vol. #1 by Shipov)
or use mostly the Botvinnik-setup after 1..c5, as described by Palliser's Beating Unusual Chess Openings?