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The Hippopotamus Defence

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Alessio De Santis The Hippopotamus Defence A Deceptively Dangerous Universal Chess Opening System for Black New In Chess 2019 Contents Explanation of symbols...............................................6 Preface ............................................................. 7 The Hippopotamus in 60 seconds ..................................... 9 Layout of the book and study method................................. 10 Stage 1: Flash . 11 Chapter 1: Introduction to the Hippopotamus system ............12 Chapter 2: A universal defence or not? ..........................15 Chapter 3: The idea behind the Hippopotamus defence...........21 Chapter 4: Why play the Hippopotamus?........................23 Chapter 5: Hippopotamus or semi-Hippopotamus?...............25 Chapter 6: The strategic elements of the Hippopotamus ......... 30 Chapter 7: The significance of the Hippopotamus moves......... 46 Chapter 8: The significance of the semi-Hippopotamus moves ....53 Chapter 9: Three famous Hippopotamuses ......................58 Stage 2: Reflection . 65 Chapter 10: History and development of the Hippopotamus ..... 66 Chapter 11: How to classify Hippopotamus games................76 Chapter 12: Instructive games .................................81 Section 1: From the king’s centre to a King’s Indian centre ......82 Section 2: From the king’s centre to a French centre...........107 Section 3: From the classical centre to a Sicilian centre ........122 Section 4: From the classical centre to an open e-file ..........132 Section 5: From the classical centre to an open d-file ..........138 Section 6: Extended 3-pawn king’s centre (Austrian Attack) ♙f4+♙e4+♙d4.....................146 Section 7: Attack with the h6♙+g5♙ and attack with the a6♙+b5♙..........................165 Section 8: Using the f5♙ ...................................181 Section 9: Extended 3-pawn queen’s centre ♙e4+♙d4+♙c4 . .188 Section 10: Benoni structures ...............................207 Section 11: 4-pawn centre ♙c4+♙d4+♙e4+♙f4 ................211 Section 12: 1-pawn centres..................................218 Section 13: The Super-Hippopotamus ........................237 5 The Hippopotamus Defence Stage 3: In depth . 245 Chapter 13: Elements of advanced strategy .................... 246 Chapter 14: Theory ..........................................258 Section 1: Theoretical problems in the 2-pawn centre (classical centre) .................................259 Section 2: Theoretical problems in the 3-pawn centre (Austrian Attack) ............................... 266 Section 3: Theoretical problems in the 3-pawn queen’s centre ..275 Chapter 15: Mistakes to avoid .................................281 Chapter 16: Complex games ..................................291 Points to remember when building a repertoire........................313 Repertoire with 1...g6................................................314 Repertoire with 1...b6 ...............................................315 Index of players ....................................................317 Bibliography ......................................................320 Explanation of symbols The chessboard with its coordinates: 8 TsLdMlSt 7 jJjJjJjJ 6 䩲 White stands slightly better ._._._._ 䩱 Black stands slightly better 5 _._._._. 4 White stands better ._._._._ Black stands better 3 _._._._. White has a decisive advantage 2 IiIiIiIi Black has a decisive advantage 1 rNbQkBnR balanced position ∞ unclear a b c d e f g h ⇆ with counterplay q White to move ! good move n Black to move !! excellent move ♔ King ? bad move ♕ Queen ?? blunder ♖ Rook !? interesting move ♗ Bishop ?! dubious move ♘ Knight N novelty 6 Preface Hello to all my old and new readers. In this book I propose to you the dangerous and underrated Hippopotamus system, a ‘universal’ defence for Black against all White’s possible openings: 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, 1.f4, Colle, London, Trompowsky, Réti and minor ones. For me this system has a great sentimental and practical value as it was my main defence in the period when I achieved three IM norms. Back in 2006, I wrote a book on this set-up which sold out quickly and is now unavailable. In the meantime the system has grown and has been noticed by many players, both at normal Open level and by top GMs. I myself gained a fourth IM norm thanks to the semi-Hippopotamus, in a key game against the ‘living legend’ Romanishin, and several students of mine have had success with this system. In short, now is the right time for a completely new work on the Hippopotamus system, supplemented by a full discussion of the semi-Hippopotamus, which was left unexplored in the earlier book. An ever wider public is looking for clear and simple systems of play, to avoid getting lost in the endless maze of opening theory, and the Hippopotamus really fits the bill here. The book is aimed at everyone, in that the explanations are as detailed as possible. Conversely, using the opening itself will be more suitable for some than others. In the band from beginners up to Elo 1800 it can be used with light preparation, as games are decided by factors that lie outside the opening; in the 1800-2100 range, a good knowledge of the strategy and a careful study of move orders will be needed. Above the 2100 threshold, the defence is still perfectly sound but, for competitive reasons, it is kept back as a surprise weapon because it requires accurate preparation as well as deeper study by yourself with a computer. It’s time to get down to work. Enjoy your Hippopotamus games! Alessio De Santis Piacenza 2018 7 The Hippopotamus in 60 seconds The Hippopotamus is a The semi-Hippopotamus ‘universal’ set-up for Black, comes about when it isn’t against all White openings. possible, or suitable, to complete all the moves of the basic set-up. T_.dM_.t T_LdM_.t _LjSsJl. _.jSjJlJ Jj.jJ_Jj J_.j.sJ_ _._._._. _J_._._. ._._._._ ._._._._ _._._._. _._._._. IiIiIiIi IiIiIiIi rNbQkBnR rNbQkBnR T_.d.tM_ T_.dM_.t jL_SsJlJ jL_SlJj. .j.jJ_J_ .j._Js.j _.j._._. _.jJ_._. ._._._._ ._._._._ _._._._. _._._._. IiIiIiIi IiIiIiIi rNbQkBnR rNbQkBnR T_.dM_.t Ts.dMl.t jLjSlJjJ jLjJ_.jJ .j.jJs._ .j._Js._ _._._._. _._._J_. ._._._._ ._._._._ _._._._. _._._._. IiIiIiIi IiIiIiIi rNbQkBnR rNbQkBnR There is only one Hippopotamus, there are many semi-Hippos. 9 The Hippopotamus Defence Layout of the book and study method This book is designed to be studied in three parts, corresponding to three different levels of detail. You can study one, two or three of the sections according to how much preparation you need. The many diagrams given allow you to study large parts of the book by following the moves without a board from one diagram to the next. Stage 1: Flash The first stage makes much use of visualization of positions, rather than memorizing moves. Here you’ll find the basics for playing the Hippopotamus straight away, advantages, disadvantages and a quick outline of strategic themes and recurring motifs. This section might take you no more than 3-4 hours of work, depending on your playing strength and how quickly you learn. Stage 2: Reflection The second stage introduces you to the study of complete strategies and the problems posed by your opponent. It is the longest section, full of instructive annotated games without the burden of theory. The knowledge contained in the first two levels is often adequate for me to compete up to international level, given that many opponents are not as well prepared for the Hippopotamus as they are for other openings. Stage 3: In depth In the third stage we’ll do a detailed study of the theoretical problems (often not known by White either), but still in a form that’s manageable for the club player. This is the part where semi-Hippopotamuses predominate, because these come about to counter specific ideas by White. 10 Stage 1: Flash TOPICS • Chapter 1 – Introduction to the Hippopotamus system • Chapter 2 – A universal defence or not? • Chapter 3 – The idea behind the Hippopotamus defence • Chapter 4 – Why play the Hippopotamus? • Chapter 5 – Hippopotamus or semi-Hippopotamus? • Chapter 6 – The strategic elements of the Hippopotamus • Chapter 7 – The significance of the Hippopotamus moves • Chapter 8 – The significance of the semi-Hippopotamus moves • Chapter 9 – Three famous Hippopotamuses 11 Stage 1: Flash CHAPTER 7 The significance of the Hippopotamus moves Now we will look at the Hippopotamus concept, the significance of each move and take a look ahead to some finesses. You can start off with 1...g6 or 1...b6. Starting with 1...g6 1.e4 centre, as prescribed in the chess The king’s pawn opening 1.e4 is the bibles. most common move, you’ll meet it 2...♗g7 40% of the time. You complete the fianchetto by 1...g6 deploying the bishop. You fianchetto on the kingside to move the dark-squared bishop onto TsLdM_St the long diagonal h8-a1. jJjJjJlJ ._._._J_ TsLdMlSt _._._._. jJjJjJ_J ._.iI_._ ._._._J_ _._._._. _._._._. IiI_.iIi ._._I_._ rNbQkBnR _._._._. IiIi.iIi Note that your king’s bishop is rNbQkBnR attacking the d4♙, but it’s defended by the white queen. Had you begun Since this fianchetto is present in with 1...b6/2...♗b7, the attack would the Pirc/Modern/Dragon, White be on the undefended e4♙. needs to bear in mind a great many 3.♘c3 transpositions. White develops naturally. For him You can start off with 1...d6, 1...e6, it is too early for drastic moves or immediately 1...a6, 1...h6, each of like 3.f4, against which you have these requires special tuning to deal valid options such as 3...c5, or 3... with the problem of the Austrian c6 followed by 4...d5, or even 3...d5 Attack. immediately, with a good type of 2.d4 Gurgenidze System, in which Black White brings up a second pawn controls the light squares.
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