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Is there any killer system against the Hippo?
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Dec 30, 2013
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#3
Haha wasted youth. I don't think there is a refutation to the hippo but the stratageies you use would be similar to those you use on any modern opening really. They are allowing you to do whatever you want effectively so just play a structure you like and feel comfortable with. I play a big center generally and then either go after the fianchetto bishop and attack the king in a yugoslav style attack or just play a queenside advance bayonet style attack. Just depends how I feel. Play a lot of fast 3min or less blitz games and you will get bundles of practice against this type of setup.
Dec 30, 2013
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#5
Haha sorry I didnt notice you already have like a 1900 blitz rating so probably was looking for some more in depth advice. Honestly though I don't think there is much more you can do with that other than get that gun :)
Can someone post a diagram showing the moves of the Hippopotamus opening?
I use the Austrian attack. White is simply preparing to play e5 or f5 which will soon require concrete play from both sides. So you won't be at much of a loss for ideas for long and if Black isn't able to counter in Pirc/modern style then he'll be in trouble.
I develop the bishops at d3 and e3. This is so that I can get a similar setup if Black tries 1.e4 b6 to get a hippo. The only thing to be on the lookout for is if Black can play Nf6 instead of Ne7 to attack your bishop on e3.
angrybirdstar wrote:
Can someone post a diagram showing the moves of the Hippopotamus opening?
Here´s Petrosian-Spassky in 1966, World Championship, game 12:
Dec 30, 2013
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#9
@angrybird Black is going to play someting like this (sometimes instead of b6 b5 etc.)
Dec 30, 2013
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#10
I can tell you that being one that plays the Modern Defense sometimes, and uses the Hippopotamus after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 a6 5.a4 or lines with an early Bc4, like 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Bc4 e6 etc, I can tell you the following features for White in the Hippo:
1) If you haven't committed to a4 or Bc4, don't! They are not beneficial against the Hippo.
2) Play as many "general developing" moves as possible. Things like Nc3, Nf3, Be3, Qd2, Be2/Bd3, O-O, Rad1, Rfe1, etc. Black is going to play, in some order, the following 10 moves first: a6, b6, d6, e6, g6, h6, Bb7, Bg7, Nd7, Ne7 (usually NOT in this order).
3) After Black's 10 moves, a very typical idea for Black is to play g5 and Ng6. Watch out for this move. The other two common ideas for Black are a c5 or f5 break. All 3 moves are commital, and have their strengths and weaknesses.
4) Don't get antsy and try to kill the Black King immediately.
5) Look for a timely e5 or d5 move. Two things must be taken into consideration when doing this:
5a) Black will in 95% of situations where d5 or e5 is played answer by closing it up. If you move d5 or e5 too quickly, it becomes easy for Black. You play e5, he plays d5, and prepares for c5, and it plays like an improved French. You play d5, he plays e5, and prepares for f5, and it plays like an improved King's Indian.
5b) While this is rare, if you are able to trade off one Bishop, and you figure Black's going to lock the center, it should be pretty easy to decide which pawn to push. Again, though, you'd rather wait until you have a set up breakthru based on weakened squares from his pawn push (i.e. d5 softens up f5, e5 softens up c5).
It's a manouvering game where both sides are waiting for the other to commit, which will happen eventually as if Black just toggles Qd8-c8-b8-c8-d8-c8-b8 etc, or any other useless toggle, White will eventually mow Black over. He can't just do "nothing" after 10 moves.
If you want an immediate and fast way to blow up Black's hippo, DREAM ON BRO!
Dec 30, 2013
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#11
@thriller thank you. Your answer was really helpful. Cannot wait to play against the Hippo next time .
I think the hippo can be extra hard to meet if you skipped out on the open games.
Here's one of my very old games against a hippo:
my friend raman always plays hippo.. i reply e4 d4 nf3 nc6 bd3 be3 qd2 00 h3 a4 a5 ne2 c4 etc.. its one gud set up.. thrillerfan suggestions were really helpful.. i ll try to apply in my coming games..
Why 2.c4 when you can grab the center with 2.e4? 2.e4,Bb7 oh yeah, 1.Nf3 and white doesn't have the necessary tempo for d4 and then Bd3. Still,
One glaring thing noticed in your game was you were up space yet exchanged down. Black slipped behind your pawns, never a good sign. You also made many pawn moves. Rxf6 was equal but the more prosaic Rf2 would keep the advantage. Still, it's better to see a mirage that leads to equality than inferiority. After 33.Kg1! you're winning as a rook and two minors beat a queen. 33.Kf3 looks reasonable, but black has the threat of 33...d5! After 33.Kg1,d5 34.Ng3,e4 isn't a check.
34...e4?? and you're winning again, just need to play 35.Kg1 and take his checks away and target the new weakness.
You played a great game, but prophylaxis is vital in some situations. It was a tough looking endgame though.
Dec 31, 2013
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#16
Roman covers the Hippo in one of his videos--he discredits it thoroughly!
http://www.chess.com/video/library?keyword=Hippo&author=JRLOK&players=&opening=&skill_level=&category=
Play for a 3 pawn centre
I recently played a game in a real life tournament and my opponent played the Hippo. I lost the game and got really pissed of. What is the correct way to play against the Hippo?