to be honest.. i don't like it.. but it seems pretty fun..
The hippo!
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The Hippo system is an interesting way to try and minimize the impact of opening knowledge and just "play chess".
However, the chess this system promulgates is largely of the dull, plodding variety. It has never caught on GM level because it's largely reactive - Black just sits tight and waits for White to overextend himself, launch a premature attack or blunder. Playing it requires patience and a subtle feel for the position, though; so it is a good choice against an impulsive attacker.
A classic example of the successful implementation of this strategy is Nezhmetdinov-Ujtelky (Sochi 1964). Both players were IMs, but White was known as one the most fearsome attackers of the time (Rashid had a 4-1 score against Tal, for instance). In this game Nezhmetdinov obtained a dominating position from the opening and went on to win the exchange with good winning chances. However, soon afterwards he lost patience and after blundering away a key center pawn went berzerk, sacrificing two pieces in quick succession.
The first sacrifice was dubious but playable, the second ruined White's game beyond repair. That was exactly what Black was counting on in that game.
Of course, this strategy had little chance against the more prudent players. After that game and a win over Kholmov Ujtelky's Hippo was drubbed mercilessly by everyone from Larsen, Spassky and Velimirovic to lesser lights like Suetin, Shamkovich and Lein.
Dec 1, 2015
0
#4
chandygarcia wrote:
What Can you say about it?
IMO it's impractical as your main weapon in classical time controls because white is free to try anything and will have more space.
Probably only good if you're better than your opponent... but in that case why not use a normal opening?
It's been used as an anti-computer opening in the past due to computers not understanding long term strategic ideas.
It's always worth a try in speed games as it can be played very quickly and doesn't allow an easy attack or opening of the position.
Dec 1, 2015
0
#5
The hippopotomus is a quite but super-solid, cramped opening idea. If black sits quiet and waits, white will get a dominating position against black's cramped space. Black's main plans, for that reason, are to play f5 or c5 (or even both), to attack the center with his well-developed army.
This opening is not commonly played at the top levels, due to it's passivity. There are many better openings which grant black almost equal positions, then having to sit in a cramped position (in case you're wondering, yes, I am a French Defense player!) with the only chances for counterplay being f5 and c5, which will be easily met by c3 and f3.
However, if you like the Hippopatomus structures, you may be interested in a much more viable opening, which is extremely flexible and can be played against a variety of openings (just like the Hippo), and maintains a similar structure. This opening is the Hedgehog.
The hedgehog formation has black's pawns all on the 6th rank (except the c-pawn, which is usually traded of earlier, and the h7, g7, and f7 pawns). Black has a solid position, and has ideas to play either ...b5 or ...d5. Although his d6 pawn is a weakness, the white pawn on c4 is also weak. Here is the Hedgehog formation:
Black typically also has a knight on d7, controlling c5 and d5, and a bishop on b7. Black's dark-squared bishop goes to either e7 or g7.
Of course, you cannot explain an entire opening system in a forum post, so in this case I recommend GM Sergey Shipov's excellent series, "The Complete Hedgehog". It is available on amazon:
This should give you a complete grounding on the opening, and I hope you have some good games with either the hippo or the hedgehog!
Robert_New_Alekhine wrote:
The hippopotomus is a quite but super-solid, cramped opening idea. If black sits quiet and waits, white will get a dominating position against black's cramped space. Black's main plans, for that reason, are to play f5 or c5 (or even both), to attack the center with his well-developed army.
This opening is not commonly played at the top levels, due to it's passivity. There are many better openings which grant black almost equal positions, then having to sit in a cramped position (in case you're wondering, yes, I am a French Defense player!) with the only chances for counterplay being f5 and c5, which will be easily met by c3 and f3.
However, if you like the Hippopatomus structures, you may be interested in a much more viable opening, which is extremely flexible and can be played against a variety of openings (just like the Hippo), and maintains a similar structure. This opening is the Hedgehog.
The hedgehog formation has black's pawns all on the 6th rank (except the c-pawn, which is usually traded of earlier, and the h7, g7, and f7 pawns). Black has a solid position, and has ideas to play either ...b5 or ...d5. Although his d6 pawn is a weakness, the white pawn on c4 is also weak. Here is the Hedgehog formation:
Black typically also has a knight on d7, controlling c5 and d5, and a bishop on b7. Black's dark-squared bishop goes to either e7 or g7.
Of course, you cannot explain an entire opening system in a forum post, so in this case I recommend GM Sergey Shipov's excellent series, "The Complete Hedgehog". It is available on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Hedgehog-1-Sergey-Shipov/dp/0979148219/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449020301&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Complete+Hedgehog
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Hedgehog-Vol-2/dp/1936277220/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449020301&sr=8-2&keywords=The+Complete+Hedgehog
This should give you a complete grounding on the opening, and I hope you have some good games with either the hippo or the hedgehog!
thank you very much for the information.
well I know the hedgehog too and I follow the games of ulf andersson because his a hedgehog expert.
I just have problems with it whenever I castled king side and my opponent starts pawn storming at my king side.
any suggestion?
I can't remember the last time I played the Hippo Defense in a high level game. I've used it before during my first 2 years in learning chess and that was since I was in grade school! I also remember playing it with white pieces...But then I've come to love playing aggresively using tactical & strong positional advantages in opening theories. Maybe I will look onto it deeply and reassess it's pros & cons, might come usefull to me someday! 
VincentMacabeo wrote:
I can't remember the last time I played the Hippo Defense in a high level game. I've used it before during my first 2 years in learning chess and that was since I was in grade school! I also remember playing it with white pieces...But then I've come to love playing aggresively using tactical & strong positional advantages in opening theories. Maybe I will look onto it deeply and reassess it's pros & cons, might come usefull to me someday!
Me too in my young age I used to play this opening Kuya rudy knows this opening because of me. Lol. I used to play this opening when I first met him.
C-Crusher wrote:
to be honest.. i don't like it.. but it seems pretty fun..
It is try it sometime.
0110001101101000 wrote:
chandygarcia wrote:
What Can you say about it?
IMO it's impractical as your main weapon in classical time controls because white is free to try anything and will have more space.
Probably only good if you're better than your opponent... but in that case why not use a normal opening?
It's been used as an anti-computer opening in the past due to computers not understanding long term strategic ideas.
It's always worth a try in speed games as it can be played very quickly and doesn't allow an easy attack or opening of the position.
Well, I guess your right.
Jul 31, 2017
0
#11
VincentMacabeo wrote:
I can't remember the last time I played the Hippo Defense in a high level game. I've used it before during my first 2 years in learning chess and that was since I was in grade school! I also remember playing it with white pieces...But then I've come to love playing aggresively using tactical & strong positional advantages in opening theories. Maybe I will look onto it deeply and reassess it's pros & cons, might come usefull to me someday!
The opening can be very dangerous as a dynamic flexible counter-attack system.
A new book about the opening is available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Guide-Hippo-Attack-Defence/dp/1973974428/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501500323&sr=8-1&keywords=chess+hippo
The hippo has been used by the following GM's (some as black, and some reversed as white):
- IGM Boris Spassky: World Champion from 1966 until 1972, he played the Hippo defence twice during his World Championship Match in 66, and later as well in tournaments.
The World Champion’s games will be analysed in games 19, 24 and 27. - IGM Ruslan Ponomariov : He is the youngest FIDE World Champion in history.
In game 20, he beats an English Grand Master by using the Hippo defence. - IGM Aaron Nimzowitsch: His name shines like a diamond in the History of Chess. Nimzo beats top GM Rubinstein in game 11.
- IGM Nakamura Hikaru: In the top 5 of the World. An artist on the board. In game #2, Hikaru beats IGM Igor Khenkin with the Hippo.
- IGM Tony Miles: The man who beat Karpov with 1…a6 and my chess hero. His game with the Hippo will be analysed in game #25.
- IGM Krasenkow, Michal : A former member of the +2700 Elo limited club, a winner a many major tournaments, and winner of multiple “Best Game” awards.
- IGM Jon Speelman Former #4 in the World, and former World Champion Candidate. See his game #12 against me.
- IGM Tiger Hillarp Persson: Swedish IGM, which is a famous World expert in the Modern defence, and writer of the excellent book “Tiger’s Modern”.
- IGM Pavel Blatny: The Czech Grand Master plays the hippo system regularly with success and is considered as an expert in the 1.e3 opening.
Hope this helps.
Aug 11, 2018
0
#12
I was searching for "Hippo" games and google pulled up this excellent thread at chess.com. Nice.
I am part of an active opening group titled, "def Hippo" that was founded a couple of years before this thread. I am going to add this thead's link to our note page for members to peruse. I did notice that @Eric_Briffoz is a member of our group and may have already added this thread and information.
I see the New In Chess publisher is coming out sometime early next year with a 336 page book on the Hippo written by a player who has been rated as high as 2367 FIDE.
Here is what is the book's summary says:
The Hippopotamus Defence is just what a club player needs. It’s a clear-cut and straightforward chess opening that avoids the ever growing body of mainline theory. It’s universal: Black can use the Hippo against virtually all of White choices: 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, 1.f4, the Colle, London, Trompovsky, Réti and others. It’s not yet very well-known and will surprise many opponents. On top of all that, the Hippo is seriously underestimated: with its characteristic double Fianchetto, it may look quiet but is in fact a very dangerous animal. Alessio de Santis is one of the world’s greatest experts and has written a practical, well-structured and accessible manual. His book can be studied on three levels: after a first flash of 3 to 4 hours you will be familiar with the Hippo’s basic moves and key variations, its strategic themes and recurring manoeuvres. In the second and third phase De Santis leads you through the most important concrete lines and introduces the Semi-Hippopotamus to counter some specific White ideas. You can use the Hippo as a surprise weapon or as your main repertoire. The extensive explanations and clear conclusions make this book an easy-to-navigate manual for club players. If you like to confront your opponents with some unexpected counter-attacks, you need not look any further.
wormrose wrote:
Amazon says May 25th, 2019 in English - $32.95
Which means New In Chess will probably release it two months or more before then. Chess book sites will likely have it before May. Unless of course New In Chess runs behind on its estimated release. If that happens then Amazon will change its in stock date until after May.
It's funny that I saw this discussion now...as today in 2 live games against Kimodo tgt computer played the Hippopotamus defense to my 1.e4. I had not heard of the Hippopotamus defense so my reaction was a fairly comical one on seeing 1...Nh6. It was "......what???....why???". I come from South Africa and while there ain't any hippos close by I know they are agressive dangerous beasts...so I stayed clear and concentrated on trying to maintain and execute strong opening principles. I bested the computer!. Next game... The computer tried it again! But I didn't let his unorthodox play fluster me. I am not familiar with this opening defense line. How can a N at the rim be a strong defense? Or is it just an opener for more dangerous moves later on? The computer never followed up with anything meaningful so I will have to research the opening in case it gets played against me again. I just took the advantage to move forward quickly to create a strong centre.
Dec 14, 2018
0
#19
It appears to be available now in Italian.
https://www.scacco.it/it/ippopotamo-2puntozero-scacchi
You can download a pdf of the preface and introduction (in Italian) and use google translate. I have already done this. One good point is that he has referenced and analyzed lots and lots of actual games.
https://www.scacco.it/it/cartware_productattachment/attachment/download/id/450/
I've been using the hippopotamus defence for a week now.
I think it's good defence for black and for white even some grandmaster's did use it like spassky with his match with petrosian in the world championship.
The game ended with a draw (2 games with hippo).
What Can you say about it?
The games are here and guide to hippo! :