Hippopotamus Defense: A Flexible Black Setup in Chess

Hippopotamus Defense

Definition

The Hippopotamus Defense is not a single, codified opening line but rather a flexible setup for Black (and occasionally for White) in which the pieces adopt a compact, seemingly passive formation in the first two ranks before suddenly striking at the center. Characteristic features include:

• Pawns on a6, b6, d6, e6, g6 and h6 (resembling a hippo half-submerged in water).
• Knights usually on d7 and e7.
• Bishops fianchettoed on b7 and g7.
• King castled short; queen often on e7 or b8.

The system is rooted in hyper-modern principles: concede the center early, attack it later. Because it can arise from numerous move orders (1…g6, 1…b6, 1…e6, or even from the Pirc, Modern, or Owen’s defenses), the Hippopotamus is best viewed as a philosophy rather than an ECO code.

Typical Move Order

One common route against 1. e4 is:

Black has achieved the full “Hippo” structure after only 10 moves.

Against 1. d4, a parallel plan is: 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e4 Ne7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O b6.

Strategic Ideas

• Flexibility: By delaying the fight for the center, Black keeps multiple pawn breaks in reserve (…c5, …e5, …f5, or …d5).
• Provocation: White is tempted to over-extend in the center, creating future targets.
• Piece Coordination: All minor pieces point toward the central dark squares (e4, d5). Once the blockade is ready, Black strikes.
• Psychological Edge: The unorthodox appearance may lure an unprepared opponent into complacency or reckless aggression.

Common Plans for Black

1. Central Break …e5 or …c5: The most classical plan; after swapping in the center, bishops on b7 and g7 become powerful.
2. Flank Counterplay: If White castles kingside, …f5 may open lines toward the king; if queenside, …b5–b4 gains space.
3. Slow Maneuvering: Knights can reroute (Nf6–h7–g5) or (Nd7–f8–g6) aiming at e5 and f4.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• + Surprise Weapon: Rare in master play; your opponent is likely outside his preparation.
• + Solid Yet Dynamic: Few immediate weaknesses; latent bishops can explode after pawn breaks.
• − Spatial Cramps: If Black fails to break, piece coordination can suffer.
• − Timing Sensitive: Choosing the wrong moment for …e5 or …c5 can leave you with a passive, suffocated position.

Historical Notes & Notable Games

• The nickname “Hippopotamus” was coined by British IM Mike Basman in the 1960s, who quipped that the hippo “lies low in the water, then suddenly and violently erupts.”
• Tiger Hillarp Persson vs. Vladimir Kramnik, Malmö Blindfold 2005 – Hillarp used the Hippo as Black to draw smoothly against the former World Champion.
• Magnus Carlsen vs. Wei Yi, Tata Steel Masters 2019 – Carlsen adopted the structure with White, demonstrating its versatility.
• David Howell vs. Mark Hebden, British Championship 2007 – Hebden’s textbook counterpunch …f5! showcased the latent energy of the bishops.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Grandmaster Colin McNab famously gives lectures titled “How to Play Like a Hippopotamus,” emphasizing patience and sudden bursts of activity.
• Because the structure can arise from either 1…g6 or 1…b6, engines sometimes mis-classify Hippo games under Pirc, Modern, or Owen’s, hiding its true popularity in databases.
• At club level, the Hippo is a favourite blitz weapon: easy to remember, hard to crack quickly.

Model Diagram

After the moves in the PGN above, a typical middlegame FEN is:

The “hippo” is hidden but ready to charge!