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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
English breakfast: Serving 1.c4 on the chessboard
EDITOR's NOTE: Chess 101 is a series on helping strengthen chess fundamentals with breakdowns from Shivika Rohilla, a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi, who is also the founder of the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA). The move 1.c4, known as the English Opening, has long held a unique place in the landscape of chess openings. Often seen as a quieter, more positional alternative to the aggressive 1.e4 or the flexible 1.d4, the English offers a sophisticated way to fight for the center without immediate confrontation. The English is more prevalent and malleable than the other openings we have examined, like 1.b4 or 1.f4. The opening's 'English' term comes from Howard Staunton, one of the game's early champions, who popularized it in international competition in the 19th century. At the greatest levels of competition, it has proven to be a potent weapon in the hands of luminaries like Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, and Vladimir Kramnik. Players that appreciate flexibility, structure, and long-term strategy love it because of its versatility in middlegames, which range from symmetrical struggles to reverse Sicilian attacks. Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky, World Championship 1972 (Game 6), is one of the most famous and historically significant games ever played in English. Fischer played 1.c4 instead of his routine 1.e4. His positional play and thorough comprehension of the ensuing structures resulted in one of his most memorable triumphs, as well as a psychological tipping moment in the match. This position emerged after 14 moves, with Fischer having the upper hand. Another memorable and critical game was played in 2010: Anand vs. Topalov – World Chess Championship (Game 11). The following position developed after the first five moves, and it demonstrates the fundamental framework that can be expected in English if it fails to migrate into other openings with the Queen's pawn. Quiet but crafty, 1.c4 is chess's sneaky ninja—stealthily controlling the center and surprising opponents with rich tactics. From old-school legends to today's champs, it's the move that proves subtlety can pack a powerful punch on the board. Want to improve your chess basics? Or are you looking for an unconventional way to catch your opponent off-guard from the opening? Read all the articles from the Chess 101 series about chess openings here Shivika Rohilla is a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi. At just 17, she founded the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA), which she runs alongside her mother, Dr Nidhi Bhasin Rohilla, and national instructor Yogender Sharma. Passionate about both chess and education, Shivika recently passed Class XII with an impressive 95%, scoring a perfect 100 in English. And right on the heels of that, she scored her second Women International Master norm, raising hope that Delhi could get its second WIM after decades-long wait. The 18-year-old firmly believes that excellence in chess and academics can go hand in hand—and is living proof that it's possible to pursue both with dedication and discipline. Through SRCA, she is also working to promote chess among girls and young women. ... Read More
Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Firepower from the flanks: Why 1.f4, the Bird's Opening, deserves your attention
EDITOR's NOTE: Chess 101 is a series on helping strengthen chess fundamentals with breakdowns from Shivika Rohilla, a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi, who is also the founder of the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA). The Bird's Opening (1.f4) is a fan favorite and frequently visited by speed chess players. Some may call it crazy or even solid at times because of its ease of application to the Stonewall Structure. The Bird's Opening resembles the Dutch variation (1.f5) from Black and is so regarded as the Reverse Dutch. The Bird's Opening is commonly ignored in mainstream opening theory, although it provides White with a creative and unconventional way forward. By immediately challenging possession of the e5 square, it facilitates dynamic, asymmetrical play. The Bird's Opening, named after 19th-century English master Henry Bird, appeals to players who want to engage in rich strategic engagements outside of standard e4 or d4. Players who use 1.f4 these days typically use the Polar Bear system with the f4, g3, d3, Nf3, Bg2 structure, which is played by Nihal Sarin, the rising Indian star; Magnus Carlsen, the current world number one; and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who has won the Candidates twice among many other players. However, it is not the only method to play this line; another structure, the Stonewall, with d4, e3, f4, provides a more sturdy play. Following is Carlsen's game in the Titled Tuesday in March 2025 against Le Tuan Minh after 1.f4 d5 g6 3.d3 Nf6 4.g3 Bg7 o-o 6.o-o c5 after which players may either opt for c3 or Nc3 offering a variety of positions. Apart from speed chess, Nodirbek Abdusattorov played 1.f4 in the Saint Louis rapid in 2024 against Fabiano Caruana, making a bold choice. He had opted for a pretty stable structure, and this was his position in 6 moves. Looking for an opening that's cool, quirky, and quietly dangerous? The Polar Bear System keeps your prep light and your position solid—because sometimes, the best way to win is to stay chill and play f4. Want to improve your chess basics? Or are you looking for an unconventional way to catch your opponent off-guard from the opening? Read all the articles from the Chess 101 series about chess openings here Shivika Rohilla is a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi. At just 17, she is the founder of the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA), which she runs alongside her mother, Dr. Nidhi Bhasin Rohilla, and national instructor Yogender Sharma. Passionate about both chess and education, Shivika recently passed Class XII with an impressive 95%, scoring a perfect 100 in English. She firmly believes that excellence in chess and academics can go hand in hand—and is living proof that it's possible to pursue both with dedication and discipline. Through SRCA, she is also working to promote chess among girls and young women. ... Read More
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Opening with instinct: The wild logic of playing 1.b4, also called the Orangutan Opening
EDITOR's NOTE: Chess 101 is a series on helping strengthen chess fundamentals with breakdowns from Shivika Rohilla, a Woman FIDE Master based in New Delhi, who is also the founder of the Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA). In a game where history meets razor-sharp preparation, few openings are more wonderfully odd than 1.b4 — the Orangutan, or Sokolsky Opening. This flank pawn push, born of humour and analytical curiosity, made its global debut in 1924 when Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower, fresh from a visit to the Bronx Zoo, claimed to have been inspired by an orangutan named Susan. While the narrative is entertaining, the maneuver itself is serious. 1. b4 has evolved into a versatile and creative weapon, avoiding deep theoretical lines while inviting rich, imbalanced positions. Despite its underdog status, world champions such as Magnus Carlsen have resorted to it, demonstrating that in chess, a lesser-traveled course can, however, lead to victory. Even though the line is mostly seen in faster forms of chess these days, such as bullet or blitz, it has also been played at the higher level by many super GMs, such as Fabiano Caruana and Carlsen, among others. Black's most popular replies are 1…e5 and 1…d5. Both leading to a very dynamic position. White's aim with this line is to get the opponent out of his usual preparation early on and invite him to a fierce battle of initiative and tactical play in the middlegame. The following position arises after 1.b4 e5. 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 4. c4, the move c4 is quite rare but interesting. Although a Titled Tuesday favourite, Fabiano Caruana's game with white against Kollars Dmitrij from the NC World Masters, Dortmund, Germany in 2023 is an exception being played during the classical format. A fascinating position arose after 16 moves starting with 1.b4 d5. From zoo-side inspiration to grandmaster execution, the Orangutan Opening walks a curious line. Part myth, part method, it's a tribute to chess's rich imagination. And a reminder that every move has a story — even 1.b4. You can read previous articles from the Chess 101 series about chess openings here
