Originally Posted by Chamaco
It can be, but it's very dangerous to think that this is automatic.
For example, the "Dutch setup" and the "Queen's indian setups" can have COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FLAVOUR if white does not play d4 soner or later
The Classical Dutch can be met with the Botvinnik system (e4 and c4). I will never dream of saying that this refutes the Dutch: I am only arguing that if one only prepares for the regulat Dutch, he'll be in troubles in many "pure english" lines, because the fact that white (temporarily) refrains from d2-d4 changes dramatically the strategy
The same applies for a Queen's indian (or hedgehog) scheme, that can be countered by white in a Reti fashion (say a double fianchetto followed by e4/c4, or by a cebntral pawn scheme such as c4,d3,e3,f4 and possibly a Kside pawn storm- this is QUITE different from usual Queen's Indian lines where Black has clearer targets and more chances to exchange off pieces), or KIA fashion; or, even white can go for the Flohr-Mikenas attack with some move orders.
And if white really wants, he can open 1.g3, when the Queen's indian or Hedgehog schemes are really tougher to achieve.
Nothing of all this should be really scary, but it only points out that Black must know his independent stuff vs non e4/non d4 schemes
And indeed, that is what is most appealing for me to play the Engkish: a lot of players believe it is possible to get away without a specific preparation vs 1.c4/Nf3 or g3.
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Well, you
can get away without specificly preparing for non-e4 & non-d4, at least I can. It's true that, in a number of cases, white transposes into a d4 system, but I don't specificly aim for that. You're absolutely right stating that many times, white doesn't go for any of that and refuses to transpose staying in unique lines.
Say white goes for an English opening.
1. c4 f5
But doesn't want to transpose here.
2. Nc3 Nf6
Or here. (I've occasionally tried e5 here, but anyway)
3. g3 e6
At this point, I would recommend the Fianchetto system in the Dutch defense via 4. d4 which is strong. White doesn't want to.
4. Bg2 Be7
If I recall the Botvinnik system requires e4 and Ne2. I've had this played against me.
5. e4 fxe4
The e4 plan is somewhat blunted in Dutch territory I'd say.
6. Nxe4 0-0 7. Ne2
[Hardly perfect play]
Where are we at? Well, there is no d4 (not yet, maybe not ever). Looks a
little like the Fianchetto variation and Staunton gambit. I know how to play against this. There's a tactical issue here that I wouldn't like to see as white, which is Nxe4 followed by d5.
In the proper d4 line of the system, there are subsystems and variations that are often (not always) similar to the unique lines of non-d4 openings.