< Chess Opening Theory
English Opening
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

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Moves: 1. c4
ECO code: A10-A39
Parent: Starting position

1. c4 - English Opening

This opening is very flexible. It can transpose into many others.

Black's responses

Most "pure" English lines come from the Symmetrical Variation (1...c5) and are quite hard to play and to understand.

Statistics

Approximately chances
White win 37%, Draw 34%, Black win 29%.
Estimated next move popularity
Nf6 31%, e5 23%, e6 13%, c5 12%, g6 8%, c6 6%, f5 4%. Other moves less than 2%

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation

1.c4
1 2 3 4 5 6
Symmetrical Variation c4
c5
Nf3
Nf6
g3
b6
Bg2
Bb7
O-O
g6
=
Reversed Sicilian Defence ...
e5
Nc3
Nc6
Nf3
Nf6
g3
d5
cxd5
Nxd5
Agincourt Defence ...
e6
Nc3
Bb4
Qb3
Nc6
Nf3
Nf6
a3
Bxc3
Anglo-Slav Variation ...
c6
Nf3
d5
g3
Nf6
Bg2
dxc4
O-O
Nbd7
Anglo-Indian Defence ...
Nf6
Nc3
e6
e4
c5
e5
Ng8
Nf3
Nc6
Great Snake Variation ...
g6
e4
e5
d4
Nf6
dxe5
Nxe4
Bd3
Nc5
English Defence ...
b6
d4
e6
e4
Bb7
Anglo-Dutch Defence ...
f5
Nf3
Nf6
g3
g6
Bg2
Bg7
O-O
O-O
Anglo-Scandinavian Defence ...
d5
cxd5
Qxd5
Nc3
Qa5
+=
Myers Defence ...
g5
d4
Bg7?!
Bxg5!
c5
Nf3
cxd4
Nxd4
Qb6
Nb5
Bxb2?!
+-
Halibut Gambit ...
b5
cxb5
a6
e4!
Bb7
Nc3
Nf6
e5
Nd5
Nf3
e6
+=

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References

    • Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.
    • Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
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