The English Opening Vol.1 by Simon Williams

This English Opening was my first love and this was the opening that I used to progress from the rank amateur player to 2400+ International Master. I will now share my secrets of this opening with you, in the hope that the English Opening can help you improve in a similar way. My main teaching method behind this set of two DVDs is to teach you some simple yet effective set ups, without the need to rely on memorising numerous complicated variations. I have explained what you are trying to achieve with each move and set up, then you will know what plans to put into motion in the middlegame and endgame.

• Video running time: 6 h 21 min
• With interactive training including video feedback
• Training database with over 50 essential games
• Including CB 12 Reader

The DVD covers: 1: The Reversed Sicilian – 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 d4!?
2: An early …f5 – 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Nf3 f5 4 d4!
3: An early …g6 – 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Nf3 g6 4 d4!
4: 2...Bb4 – 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Bb4
5: Mikenas-Carls variation – 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 e4!?
6: A unique idea against 1…e6 and …d5 – 1 c4 e6 2 Nc3 d5 3 e3!?
7: Crazy lines from Black

1. 01: Intro [22:11]
2. Reti Variation of the four knights English - 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Nf3 Nc6 4 d4!?
3. 02: Game 1 - Sulskis,S - Socko,B [34:23]
4. 03: Game 2 - Salov,V - Illescas Cordoba,M [10:58]
5. 04: Game 3 - Savchenko,B - Chernobai,A [15:23]
6. 05: Game 4 - Jobava,B - Vallejo Pons,F [10:59]
7. 06: Game 5 - Reinderman,D - Spoelman,W [09:24]
8. 07: Game 6 - Ipatov,A - Banusz,T [15:48]
9. 08: Game 7 - Botvinnik,M - Ragozin,V [12:18]
10. A quick ...f5 - 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Nf3 f5 4 d4
11. 09: Game 8 - Polugaevsky,L - Balashov,Y [17:36]
12. 10: Game 9 - Bachmann,A - Kukov,V [10:51]
13. 11: Game 10 - Pelletier,Y - Krasenkow,M [14:48]
14. An early ...g6 - 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Nf3 g6
15. 12: Game 11 - Andreikin,D - Karjakin,S [10:42]
16. 13: Game 12 - Andreikin,D - Nepomniachtchi,I [05:34]
17. An early ...Bb4 - 1 c4 e5 2 Nc3 Bb4
18. 14: Game 13 - Malakhov,V - Bologan,V [19:19]
19. 15: Game 14 - Van Wely,L - Adianto,U [06:07]
20. 16: Game 15 - Cheparinov,I - Hector,J [17:37]
21. Rare tries from Black
22. 17: Game 16 - Williams,S - Rudd,J [15:27]
23. The Mikenas-Carls Variation - 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 e4
24. 18: Game 17 - Williams,S - Howell,J [26:31]
25. 19: Game 18 - Grischuk,A - Aronian,L [09:27]
26. 20: Game 19 - Halkias,S - Moiseenko,A [13:08]
27. 21: Game 20 - Topalov,V - Rozentalis,E [10:48]
28. A Unique Approach - 1 c4 e6 2 Nc3 d5 3 e3!?
29. 22: Game 21 - Fier,A - Mekhitarian,K [20:54]
30. 23: Game 22 - Lagarde,M - Bedouin,X [08:00]
31. 24: Outro [03:12]
32. Test positions
33. 25: Example 1 [04:07]
34. 26: Example 2 [02:16]
35. 27: Example 3 [02:23]
36. 28: Example 4 [01:45]
37. 29: Example 5 [06:54]
38. 30: Example 6 [03:32]
39. 31: Example 7 [03:54]
40. 32: Example 8 [03:42]
41. 33: Example 9 [01:54]
42. 34: Example 10 [02:30]
43. 35: Example 11 [03:35]
44. 36: Example 12 [02:29]