The Hippopotamus system of defence

What is the Hippopotamus system? The idea is that at the start of the game, Black develops within his own first three ranks. He creates a solid, flexible and hopefully stable position and waits for the action. Then, at the right moment, he will strike back! The Hippopotamus was named by the eccentric English amateur player JC Thompson, back in the 1950s. That name seems as good as any. If the conditions are right, Black will emerge from the swamp of the chessboard and crush all before him.