English Opening (for White)

The English Opening (1.c4) controls the d5 square with a flank pawn. White keeps options open and often plays a kind of Sicilian with an extra tempo: flexible play, rich in maneuvers.

The principle

White often fianchettoes the bishop on g2, where it weighs on the long diagonal and on d5. The fight is about the central light squares and the queenside.

The main line: the Reversed Sicilian

1...e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.O-O Be7. Black occupies the center with pieces; White undermines it with the g2 bishop and often prepares the a3 and b4 pushes on the queenside.

Main variations

• Symmetrical Variation: 1...c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7. Both sides fianchetto; the battle is about the d5 square and the queenside.
• Botvinnik System: 1...e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nge2. With pawns on c4 and e4, White locks down the d5 square.
• Anglo-Indian Defense: 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O. Black answers with an Indian defense setup.

Typical mistakes

With White, don't play the English as a passive opening: without queenside activity, you let Black take the center for free. With Black, remember that the g2 bishop eyes your a8 rook as soon as the diagonal opens.

Coach's advice

The English rewards understanding plans more than memory. Click the colored moves to see each line, then ask me your questions.

Main line

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.O-O Be7