Meeting 1.c4 with 1...c5: The Symmetrical English for Black
For decades, the Symmetrical English was valued above all for its solidity. Black mirrors White's development, and the question has always been when, and how, to break the symmetry.
GM Mitrabha Guha gives a clear answer. In the modern main line, 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4, Black plays the surprising 7...h5!?.
The point is concrete. Black provokes h2-h3, and that pawn will often end up hanging. A mirror-image opening turns into a fight with a clear target.
Symmetry as a Starting Point
This course is a complete repertoire for Black after 1.c4 c5, and 7...h5 is not its only new idea.
Against 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.g3, the author recommends the innovative 6...Bc5 7.Nb3 Bb4. This leads to an isolated queen's pawn position after 8.Bg2 d5 9.cxd5 exd5. Guha shows that the IQP is nothing to fear and explains how Black gets active piece play.
He also brings a fresh approach against the early 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4. He examines 2.g3 with 5.d3, a favourite of Magnus Carlsen, in its own chapter.
The Author's Reasoning
GM Mitrabha Guha built the repertoire on an opening that has stood the test of time. The structure is sound, so Black can rely on it. The ...h5 and ...Bc5-b4 ideas are where Black gets winning chances.
The course covers White's options from move two, including 2.e3, 2.g3, 3.b3 and 3.d4. The final chapter is devoted to 8.h3, White's critical attempt to meet ...h4 with g3-g4.
Map of Variations
1.c4 c5
- 2.e3 and other rare 2nd moves → Chapter 1
- 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6
- 5.d3 and other rare moves (Carlsen's choice) → Chapter 2
- 5.e3, preparing Nge2 → Chapter 3
2.Nf3 Nf6
- 3.b3 and other rare 3rd moves → Chapter 4
- 3.d4, the author's fresh approach → Chapter 5
3.Nc3 Nc6
- 4.e4 and other rare 4th moves → Chapter 6
- 4.e3, preparing d2-d4 → Chapter 7
- 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6
- 6.Ndb5 and other rare lines → Chapter 8
- 6.e4, a Sicilian-type transposition → Chapter 9
- 6.g3 Bc5! 7.Nb3 Bb4 8.Bg2 d5 9.cxd5 exd5, IQP with active piece play → Chapter 10
4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7
- 6.O-O d6
- 7.d3 and other passive 7th moves → Chapter 11
- 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7
- 9.Nxc6 and rarer 9th moves → Chapter 12
- 9.Nc2, keeping pieces on the board → Chapter 13
- 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 h5!?
- 8.c5 and other rare moves → Chapter 14
- 8.h3, the critical test (meeting ...h4 with g4) → Chapter 15
Premium Course Features
- 15 Chapters
- 30 test positions
- 5 training positions
- Memory Booster
- To Go Version of every chapter
- Video instruction
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
Part of a Wider Black Repertoire
Players who follow GM Guha's work can pair this course with his other Black repertoires. Against 1.d4, he offers The Complete Nimzo-Indian Repertoire and Queen's Indian Defense for Black.
Against 1.e4, The Fort Knox French - A Rock-Solid Repertoire for Black provides a solid and reliable setup.
With the Symmetrical English, the author's repertoires now cover these three major first moves.
Start Playing 1...c5
Get Meeting 1.c4 with 1...c5: The Symmetrical English for Black by GM Mitrabha Guha. Keep the solid structure, find the right moment to break it, and bring the fight to White.