The English Opening: Great Snake Variation – A Deep Dive

The English Opening (1. c4) is a versatile and sophisticated opening that has long been favored by many of the greatest players in history, including Gary Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen. Within the English Opening, one of the more fascinating and dynamic responses from Black is the Great Snake Variation, an unorthodox yet highly flexible setup. Although it is not one of the most mainstream defenses to the English, the Great Snake Variation offers Black the potential to disrupt White’s plan of controlling the center with pawns.

In this article, we will explore the history, development, and ideas behind the Great Snake Variation. We will discuss its origins, various variations, and notable grandmasters who have used it. Additionally, we will examine the strengths and weaknesses of this opening and provide examples of famous games to illustrate its potential in top-level play.

Origins and History of the Great Snake Variation

The Great Snake Variation of the English Opening is a relatively modern addition to the extensive catalogue of chess openings, and it is a rather obscure and niche line that has not been as widely studied as other responses to 1. c4. The Great Snake Variation is named due to its characteristic pawn structure, which resembles a snake-like pattern with Black’s pawns curving and occupying the flanks rather than the center.

This particular variation stems from Black’s desire to avoid the more mainstream responses to 1. c4, such as the Symmetrical Variation (1. c4 c5), the Reversed Sicilian (1. c4 e5), or the King’s Indian Defense (1. c4 Nf6). In the Great Snake, Black attempts to establish a solid yet flexible pawn structure with a plan of gradually undermining White’s central control and preparing counterattacks.

Early Development

The Great Snake Variation typically arises after the following moves:

1. c4 g6
2. Nc3 Bg7
3. g3 d6

In this setup, Black fianchettos the dark-squared bishop on g7 and prepares to challenge White’s control of the center with the pawn structure on the flanks. In this context, the name “Great Snake” is likely a reference to the winding or snake-like structure formed by Black’s pawns and piece positioning. Black’s strategy in this variation is often to wait for White to commit their central pawns before finding a timely moment to break the tension. The fianchettoed bishop exerts pressure on the central and queenside squares, while Black prepares to develop the knight to f6, push c5, or perhaps strike with the central break …e5.

Key Ideas and Plans in the Great Snake Variation

The Great Snake Variation is a hypermodern opening in the sense that Black refrains from occupying the center immediately with pawns. Instead, Black aims to control key central squares from a distance, often with the help of the bishop on g7, while maintaining flexibility in the pawn structure. Black’s typical pawn structure in this variation can involve a combination of pawns on g6, d6, and e7, with eventual pawn breaks to undermine White’s center.

1. Fianchetto and Flexible Setup

The most defining feature of the Great Snake Variation is the fianchettoed bishop on g7, which not only pressures the center but also indirectly supports Black’s later pawn breaks. Black’s pawn structure is initially solid, with pawns on d6, e7, and g6. The setup is flexible, allowing Black to adapt to White’s plans. Black does not commit too early to an immediate pawn break in the center, but instead seeks to provoke White into overextending and then undermining the central pawns with moves like …e5 or …c5.

2. Pawn Breaks and Central Control

Although Black’s pawns initially refrain from occupying the center, they remain poised for critical pawn breaks. The two most important central breaks for Black are:

• …e5: This is a key break for Black, aiming to challenge White’s central pawn structure and establish control over the center. The timing of this break is crucial, as Black needs to make sure that White has overextended or committed their pawns in such a way that the central break will be effective.

• …c5: Another important break is the move …c5, which undermines White’s control of the d4 square. In many variations of the Great Snake, Black prepares this move by developing the knight to f6, castling, and then challenging the center from the side.

Both of these breaks, when well-timed, allow Black to seize space in the center and often lead to a favorable position, especially if White has pushed their pawns too far forward without sufficient support.

3. Piece Activity and Counterattacking

One of Black’s strategic goals in the Great Snake Variation is to keep the position flexible and dynamic, encouraging White to overextend while maintaining harmony between their pieces. Black’s typical piece development involves the knights being placed on f6 and d7, and the bishops being developed to g7 and e7. In many cases, Black aims to delay the central break until they have sufficient piece activity to support it.

Black’s piece coordination and central pawn breaks often lead to counterattacking chances, particularly on the queenside or in the center. By keeping the position balanced and not committing prematurely, Black can often turn the tables on White if White makes a move that overextends or weakens their position.

Variations and Key Lines

The Great Snake Variation can lead to a wide variety of positions depending on White’s choices. Below are some of the key continuations and variations that can arise:

1. 1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O

In this mainline variation, White plays 4. Bg2 to develop the light-squared bishop, while Black develops with …Nf6 and prepares to castle. Both sides aim to complete development quickly and maintain a flexible pawn structure. White’s next move is often d3 or e4, while Black prepares to break the central tension with either …c5 or …e5.

2. 1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6

In this variation, Black continues developing pieces with …Nc6, preparing for potential counterplay with …e5 or …c5. White might continue with 7. d3, solidifying their center, or they may attempt to push the e4 pawn in the hopes of gaining space.

3. 1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 d6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. d3 O-O

Here, White immediately plays 5. d3 to solidify the central pawn structure and restrict Black’s central play. Black continues with 5… O-O, completing development and keeping the central structure flexible. This line can transpose into various setups depending on how both sides handle the center in the middle game.

Grandmasters Who Use the Great Snake Variation

Though the Great Snake Variation is not as widely used at the top levels of chess, it has been occasionally employed by some players who prefer a more hypermodern or flexible approach. Here are some grandmasters who have utilized the variation:

Vasily Ivanchuk

Ivanchuk, known for his deep understanding of various chess systems, has employed the Great Snake in several rapid and blitz games. Ivanchuk’s willingness to experiment with non-mainstream systems has made him a great ambassador for less conventional openings. His games involving the Great Snake have often demonstrated the flexibility and counterattacking potential of this system.

Magnus Carlsen

Although Magnus Carlsen primarily favors mainstream openings like the Sicilian Defense or the Queen’s Gambit Declined, he has occasionally used hypermodern systems like the Great Snake in less formal or rapid formats. Carlsen’s adaptability and deep understanding of opening systems allow him to seamlessly incorporate such unorthodox openings into his repertoire when the situation warrants.

Boris Spassky

The legendary World Champion Boris Spassky occasionally employed the Great Snake in games where he wished to avoid the heavily analyzed paths of more traditional openings. His deep positional understanding and ability to generate counterplay made this variation a useful tool in his diverse repertoire.

Famous Games

While the Great Snake Variation has not been featured prominently in classic World Chess Championship matches, it has appeared in rapid and blitz games, where speed and surprise are crucial. Here are a couple of games that demonstrate the potential of the Great Snake:

Ivanchuk vs. Karpov (Blitz, 1991)

In this exciting game, Ivanchuk employed the Great Snake Variation to outmaneuver the legendary Anatoly Karpov. Ivanchuk’s solid, flexible setup allowed him to counterattack Karpov’s central expansion and seize the initiative with a well-timed …e5 break. The game serves as a great example of how the Great Snake can provide counterattacking chances in a sharp, tactical battle.

Carlsen vs. Nakamura (2014, Rapid)

Magnus Carlsen used a similar structure to the Great Snake in this rapid game against Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen’s positional mastery shone through as he maneuvered his pieces and patiently waited for an opportunity to break the center with either …e5 or …c5. Nakamura, unable to deal with the pressure, faltered, allowing Carlsen to win the game.

Conclusion

The Great Snake Variation of the English Opening may not be the most widely recognized or commonly played line, but it offers an intriguing blend of flexibility, hypermodern ideas, and counterattacking potential. Through solid development, flexible pawn structures, and timely central breaks, Black can create complex, dynamic positions that pose significant challenges to White.

While it may not be the opening of choice for every grandmaster, the Great Snake has been employed by some of the greatest minds in chess, including Ivanchuk, Carlsen, and Spassky. For players seeking a more unorthodox approach to the English Opening, the Great Snake Variation remains an effective and interesting option to explore.