Ntirlis: Win with the English! - Playing the English 2nd Edition (paperback)

Autor: Ntirlis, Nikolaos
Verlag / Hersteller: Quality Chess
Erscheinungsjahr: 2026
Sprache: Englisch
Buchumschlag: paperback
Seiten: 520

Build a Winning 1.c4 Repertoire with the English Opening

Win with the English! by Nikolaos Ntirlis is a comprehensive guide to playing the English Opening (1.c4), one of the most practical opening choices for players seeking to control the game from move one. This second edition refines and expands the highly praised first volume, offering updated move orders, closed gaps, and sharper practical approaches.

The English Opening rewards understanding over memorisation. Rather than relying on computer analysis, players learn the strategic themes and plans that guide winning play across a wide range of Black defences—from the Reversed Dragon and Hedgehog to the King's Indian and Grünfeld.

Designed for club players and aspiring professionals alike, this book equips players of intermediate to advanced strength with a complete 1.c4 repertoire grounded in practical, battle-tested ideas.

Highlights

• Complete 1.c4 repertoire covering all major Black defences and move-order nuances
• Strategic focus on themes and plans rather than rote memorisation of variations
• Refined and expanded second edition with improved move orders and sharper practical directions
• Covers Reversed Dragon, Hedgehog, Double Fianchetto, King's Indian, Grünfeld, Queen's Indian, Neo-Catalan, and more
• Written by a correspondence master and experienced opening advisor to top players
• Uses figurine algebraic notation (FAN) for clear, language-independent analysis

An ideal choice for players ready to master a flexible, long-term opening weapon that rewards understanding and practical play.

FAQ

What Black defences does this book cover?
The repertoire covers all major 1.c4 responses, including the Reversed Dragon, Reversed Rossolimo, Pure and Impure Symmetry lines, Hedgehog, Double Fianchetto, King's Indian, Grünfeld, Queen's Indian, Slav-Grünfeld, Neo-Catalan, and the Dutch. This ensures White has practical solutions to every Black system.

How does the second edition differ from the first (Playing the English, 2023)?
The new edition refines move orders, fills analytical gaps, and steers play toward even more practical and potent positions. The core ideas and best explanations from the original remain, but with enhanced fine-tuning throughout to strengthen White's practical chances.

Is this book focused on memorisation or understanding?
The book emphasises strategic themes and plans over computer-generated analysis. The English Opening is portrayed as a practical weapon where understanding positions and recognising ideas matters more than memorising endless variations.