An Englishman Member since May-31-04 · Last seen May-23-25 I'm a long since retired former master (but never particularly good) whose opening repetoire consisted of the English, Nimzo-Indian and Caro-Kann. I now pursue a career in film, theater and television as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, director, producer and Web content creator.

An Englishman has kibitzed 10788 times to chessgames   [more...]

May-22-25 Polugaevsky vs Petrosian, 1970    An Englishman: Good Evening: My favorite move of the game consists of 19...e4, sacrificing the pawn and then *not* occupying e5 as usually happens in a vacating sacrifice. In fact, Black never occupied e5 for the rest of the game.      May-21-25 E Thorsteinsson vs A Simutowe, 2008    An Englishman: Good Evening: Weird but true--also picked Stockfish's line, although 3.Ng4 never occurred to me. Only saw 3.Kh1,Rd2.      May-18-25 S Namgilov vs Psakhis, 1977    An Englishman: Good Evening: For one brief shining moment (well, move), thought at the level of Stockfish and played the correct 38th move. <Walter Glattke>, couldn't follow your analysis, did you mean 42.Qh8+,Kf7; 43.Qf8+,Kxg6; also, after 42.Qh8+, can Black play 42...Bxh8? My ...      May-17-25 E Keogh vs A Jones, 1991    An Englishman: Good Evening: OTB, would have played the game continuation, but as a speculative sacrifice, having no idea how the game might end. Black probably foresaw the entire last 8 moves of the game.      May-16-25 D Gukesh vs Caruana, 2025    An Englishman: Good Morning: Thanks for the 2nd game, CG! A little surprising that the players have only reached move 26. They might want to pick up the pace.      May-16-25 R Praggnanandhaa vs Aronian, 2025    An Englishman: Good Morning: Back around 1960, players would look at the Two Bishops and the unbalanced pawn formation and conclude that White had a large advantage. Today, we know better; piece activity counts for everything. Still believe White has the edge (it's the old in me), but Black ...      May-15-25 So vs R Praggnanandhaa, 2025    An Englishman: Good Morning: Thought White would play 29.f4 instead of 29.g3, which cuts off the Rook from the rest of the third rank. Can no longer see White's compensation for the pawn.      May-15-25 M Greeff vs V Gandrud, 2008    An Englishman: Good Evening: Looks like the Black pawn on b2 committed treason against his side.      May-15-25 A Simutowe vs J Alayola Montanez, 2003    An Englishman: Good Afternoon: Also worth noting; White's 16th and 17th moves, freeing d4 for the Knight, turning Black's Bishop into a tall pawn, and gaining space with the pawn on e5. Even without a combination as in the game, such a pawn sacrifice might still prove worthwhile.      May-14-25 R Praggnanandhaa vs Firouzja, 2025   An Englishman: Good Morning: Feels like White squandered a considerable advantage in this game. In other words, feels like many of the games where I squandered a considerable advantage.

indicates a reply to the comment.

< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 6 OF 6 ·  Later Kibitzing> May-14-12    El Trueno: Hi! I would like to play chess against you 'cause I like your comments :) it would be helpful for me 'cause I'm studying english at school etc.. :) Sep-03-12    Tal7777777: Happy labor day! Sep-10-12    Abdel Irada: <An Englishman>: Are you by any chance in New York? ;-) Dec-05-12    ChessYouGood: It's ever oh so great to read your profile old chum. In particular, it's lovely to see I am not the only actor, playwright, screenwriter, director and producer around here. I am currently working on "Driving Miss Daisy II: Who's in the Boot?" at the moment. Perhaps we can collaborate! Jun-11-14    Ashperov1988: You must like stings song haha Dec-25-14    wordfunph: <An Englishman> Merry Christmas and Happy 2015! Jul-22-16    virginmind: this can't be real... Nov-15-16    ketchuplover: Get a haircut young man :) Nov-15-16    An Englishman: Good Morning: <ketchuplover>, seriously, I got one last week, the famous US Marines "Three Minute Special." Do I need a new one already? Nov-18-16    ketchuplover: Apparently my time machine malfunctioned :( Nov-19-16    jessicafischerqueen: Good afternoon: long time no see. Dec-13-16    ketchuplover: May you and your circle have a healthy holiday season Mar-10-18    ketchuplover: Go So & Caruana! Mar-11-18    An Englishman: <ketchuplover>, for some strange, can't post messages on your page. Anyway, quite a remarkable first round. Keeping my fingers crossed for an exciting tournament. May-11-19    Pyrandus: Good Morning, Englishman! - Your "sign" (Emoticon?) is a Fenix? Thx. Jun-28-19    An Englishman: Good Afternoon: <Pyrandus>, sorry for not noticing your message sooner. My avatar is The Roadrunner, a famous American cartoon character from the 50s and 60s. He co-starred in some famous silent cartoons with Wile E. Coyote. Sep-03-21    0ZeR0: Greetings, <An Englishman>. After reading your bio I was curious to learn more about your opening repertoire. Which variations of the English would you often play? I'm asking because I also play the English, albeit not at the master level as you have (obviously). Sep-03-21    An Englishman: Good Evening: <0Zer0>, used the Botvinnik formation more often than other variations. The Botvinnik has one peculiar feature in that it works as both a White opening or a Black defense. 1.c4, 2.Nc3, 3.g3, 4.Bg2, 5.e5 represents a typical move order. White will follow with Nge2 and d2-d3, avoiding d2-d4, and eventually h3, Be3 and Qd2, after which one may attack on the Queen side, center or King side. Often transposed into either the Catalan or the Neo-Catalan if in the mood to do so. Sometimes transposed into a Reti, and in one successful game played 1.c4,c6; 2.e4 and transposed into playing the Panov-Botvinnik Variation v. the Caro-Kann; ironically, my favorite defense to 1.e4. Sep-03-21    0ZeR0: <An Englishman> The Botvinnik system is an important part of my own repertoire as well. I like it because it's relatively easy to learn and play, is solid, and can be a good foundation for attacking possibilities as you mentioned. I've learned a lot from GM Simon Williams, a great practitioner of this opening, both through his Chessable course and his book titled "The Iron English." Williams has stated that the Botvinnik English almost single-handedly carried him to his first master title. <Sometimes transposed into a Reti, and in one successful game played 1.c4,c6; 2.e4 and transposed into playing the Panov-Botvinnik Variation v. the Caro-Kann; ironically, my favorite defense to 1.e4.> That's interesting. Against 1.e4, I like to employ the Scandinavian. It's been described as somewhat dubious, but at my level it often works well for me. Sep-04-21    An Englishman: Good Evening: <0Zer0>, better a "somewhat dubious" opening that works than a sound opening that doesn't. Besides, the Scandinavian has a much better reputation than back in my time, when Bobby Fischer (v. Addison) allegedly laughed when his opponent played 1...d5. Today, the database has 14 Scandinavians played by Carlsen himself. Sep-04-21    0ZeR0: <An Englishman> Right you are! I think ultimately as a chess player you’ve got to play your openings. The openings that you know and which match your personality and style. I believe Carlsen himself has described the Scandinavian as dubious, but obviously that hasn’t stopped him from playing it and beating the likes of Anand, Caruana, and Nepo. Jan-28-22    Dionysius1: Good evening! I see your favourite games amount to 10 wins by black plus 1 draw. You counter-puncher you! Oct-06-22    MissScarlett: I like the Yasser pun, but why did you use <Wonn> instead of <Won>? Mar-04-25    gezafan: <An Englishman>, You are English yet your avatar is a roadrunner which is not indigenous to England. Perhaps an English bird would be more appropriate for your avatar. The are many varieties of gooses and ducks in England. Perhaps you could choose a high flying swift. If you are a drawing master you could choose a peaceful dove. I'm just trying to be helpful. : ) https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=6b66... Mar-05-25    Troller: <gezafan> I assume you are American, yet you have an Austrian actor as avatar. Why, that is as silly as if I had a Russian...well, never mind. Jump to page #    (enter # from 1 to 6) search thread:    < Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 6 OF 6 ·  Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines: No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members. Nothing in violation of United States law. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members. No trolling. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers. Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times. See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator. NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific user only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors. All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

You are not logged in to chessgames.com. If you need an account, register now; it's quick, anonymous, and free! If you already have an account, click here to sign-in.