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Recently we wrote an article where we discussed the main ideas for white in the different
positions of the Maroczy Bind (Hedgehog, English, and Accelerated Dragon). In this article, we will see the main
plans for black in the Hedgehog setup. Let's start by explaining what the Hedgehog setup is and its characteristics.
The Hedgehog arises when black places his pawns on the sixth rank, e6-d6-b6-a6 and his pieces behind them on the
7th and 8thrank. The setup is not particularly aggressive but it is quite dynamic. The line of pawns on the 6 th rank act
as the spines of the Hedgehog, controlling the 5 th rank and not letting the opponent to step in. The pieces are
guarded behind the pawns, ready to come into play at anytime.
In this type of positions black usually makes waiting moves, always based on a possible counter-attack. The typical pawn
ruptures are f7-f5, b6-b5 and the most common d6-d5. There are a few things worth knowing about the Hedgehog; even
though the position lacks space, trading pieces doesnt necessarily bring any relief. In the Hedgehog having more pieces
means more possibilities to counter-attack.
The popularity of this system has increased greatly for the past few years at Master level, as it combines the level of
strategy and dynamics very well. Also, it's easy to learn and the ideas are usually the same. It can also arise from many
different move orders and openings. For example, as black we can find it in the Sicilian Kan, in the English and in a
couple of lines of the Nimzo Indian. Even if the Hedgehog doesn't have a place in your opening repertoire, it's worth
knowing the main plans of this scheme.
Main ideas:
Fischer's plan Fischer's brilliant invention was starting a kingside attack by playing Kh8-Rg8 followed by g5g4. To be more accurate, we must mention that he was playing the Hedgehog as white against Ulf Andersson,
and that game started by the move 1.b3 but turned into a reversed Sicilian very quickly.
Samisch Maneuver - This plan is very common. It involves transferring the bishop from ''e7'' to ''c7'' in order to
hit on h2 after playing the typical rupture d6-d5. This plan and Fischer's can be combined as well.
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h7-h5 advance Probably the most flexible plan. This advance is especially effecient against the setup with the
white pawn on f3. The idea is to advance this pawn as much as possible forcing white to weaken his kingside.
With white's kingside weak, the central break d6-d5 will cause more damage in white's position.
Let's have a look now at some examples where these plans were played. Well analyze each plan separately on each
game:
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We have seen now the main ideas to apply in the Hedgehog and we hope with this our readers have learned something
new and understand better this common setup. In our opinion the h7-h5 and Bd8-c7 should be considered principal
nowadays. Fischer's plan seems a bit too slow and white can get his queenside attack going really fast.
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