The most common setup you will face and for good reason. In the spirit of the opening we allow ourselves to remain flexible. My rule of thumb is if the opponent plays Bf5 we play d3, limiting its scope. Against all other lines we will play d4 and directly fight for the centre.

This is the setup we will aim for anytime white goes bf5. A common plan is to go for the e4 push but in my experience theres no need to rush it and instead remain flexible. We will organize our pieces as shown and play on the queenside. Do not allow white to get in e5.

When white plays Bg4 the plan is usually to go e5, so we have to play e4 to maintain control in the centre. If white does not go for e5 then we will continue with the previous setup to limit the bishops scope if it routes back to Bf5

When black plays the passive d6 we go for d4! We can now put our queen on c2 and eventually play for e4 before black can play e5.

Slav Structure

The kings indian is very common against our setup especially at the higher ratings. If black allows us to take the centre then we will. Our goal is to avoid symmetry to allow us to play for a win. 

To avoid symmetry we will go with b3! We avoid symmetry and play for the e5 square. Our plans are to take the centre and eventually go for lines with d5.  

This setup is very similar to the previous chapter. Following our theme of limiting blacks light square bishop. Our plans are to put pressure on the e5 square and play on the queenside.

This setup is extremely common but I'm not sure why. We get a great position because black thinks Ng5 is fancy. Here we will likely be forced to play e4 if black plays Bf5.

Early e5

Kings Indian

By far my favourite lines stem from this tabiya. We get great positions regardless and some of the lines can get pretty sharp in our favour. An important rule to remember is that we do not play d4 until black plays Nc6, you will see why...

Black has played all the best moves up until the end, instead we follow the most common line played in the master database. We are already going to win material due to blacks over extension of weak pawns.

Another sharp line that ends with us having a superior pawn structure and a fairly easy endgame. If you play this in blitz you will surely have a time edge on your opponent.

Youre probably noticing a pattern of the sharpness of these lines. Here we are down 2 pawns but will win them back with a better position and likely more unless black plays accurately.

e6 bg5

Reverse Grunfeld

Queens Gambit Declined

An entire repertoire for white starting with 1. Nf3. In this course we focus on easy to remember lines with clear plans. The positions we will aim for involve Nf3 g3 Bg2 allowing us to be flexible and easy to remember. This course has been my main repertoire for years and has served me well. All lines have been crafted using master games and the strongest engines.

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Keep It Simple 1.Nf3

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