English Opening

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
Moves	1.c4
ECO	A10–A39
Origin	Staunton – Saint-Amant, match, 1843
Named after	Howard Staunton, English player and world champion (Unofficial)
Parent	Flank opening
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In chess, the English Opening is the opening where White begins 1.c4.

A flank opening, it is the fourth most popular^[1][2] and, according to various databases, anywhere from one of the two most successful^[1] to the fourth most successful^[3] of White's twenty possible first moves. White begins the fight for the centre by staking a claim to the d5 square from the wing, in hypermodern style. Although many lines of the English have a distinct character, the opening is often used as a transpositional device in much the same way as 1.Nf3 - to avoid such highly-regarded responses to 1.d4 as the Nimzo-Indian and Grünfeld defences, and is considered reliable and flexible.

The English derives its name from the English (unofficial) world champion, Howard Staunton, who played it during his 1843 match with Saint-Amant and London 1851, the first international tournament.^[4] It did not inspire Staunton's contemporaries, and only caught on in the twentieth century.^[4] It is now recognised as a solid opening that may be used to reach both classical and hypermodern positions. Mikhail Botvinnik, Tigran Petrosian, Anatoly Karpov, and Garry Kasparov all employed it during their world championship matches. Bobby Fischer created a stir when he switched to it from his hitherto almost universal 1.e4 late in his career, employing it against Lev Polugaevsky and Oscar Panno at the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal in 1970 and in his 1972 world championship match against Boris Spassky.

Transpositional potential

1...Nf6

White can play 2.d4, thereby transposing to an Indian defence, which is usually reached by 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4, after which Black may play 2...e6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6), or black may play 2...g6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6). Also white can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...e6 for English (A13, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6). This can lead to Queen's Gambit Declined (D37), Queen's Indian (E12), or Symmetrical Variation (A30). Or black may play 2...g6 for English (A15, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6). This can lead to King's Indian Defense (E60), King's Indian, Orthodox (E94), King's Indian (E92), or English (A15). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...e5 for English (A28, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5). This can lead to English (A28), Old Indian, Ukrainian Variation, 4.Nf3 (A54), or English (A22). Or black may play 2...e6 for English (A17, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6). This can lead to Nimzo-Indian, Classical (E32), Queen's Gambit Declined (D35), Symmetrical Variation (A30), or Queen's Gambit Declined (D37).

1...e5

White can play 2.Nc3. Then Black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or Black may play 2...Nc6 for English (A25, see 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6). This can lead to English (A25), English (A22), or English (A20). Also white can play 2.g3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for English (A20, see 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6). This can lead to English (A22) or English (A20). Or black may play 2...Nc6 for English (A25, see 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6). This can lead to English (A25), English (A22), or English (A20).

1...e6

White can play 2.d4, which is usually reached by 1.d4 e6 2. c4 so see Queen's Pawn Game. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6), or black may play 2...d5 (see 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6). Also white can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or black may play 2...d5 for English (A13, see 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5). This can lead to Queen's Gambit Declined (D37), Queen's Gambit Declined (D30), or English (A13). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or black may play 2...d5 for Queen's Gambit Declined (D31, see 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5). This can lead to Queen's Gambit Declined (D35) or Queen's Gambit Declined (D31).

1...c5

White can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for Symmetrical Variation (A30, see 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A30), Symmetrical Variation (A35), Queen's Pawn Game (E10), or Symmetrical Variation, Benoni Formation (A31). Or black may play 2...Nc6 for Réti Opening (A04, see 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A35), Reti Opening (A04), or Symmetrical Variation (A33). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for Symmetrical Variation (A34, see 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nf6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A30), Symmetrical Variation (A35), or Symmetrical Variation (A34). Or black may play 2...Nc6 for English (A36, see 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6). This can lead to Symmetrical Variation (A35), Reti Opening (A04), English (A36), or English (A34).

1...g6

White can play 2.d4, which is usually reached by 1.d4 g6 2.c4 so see Queen's Pawn Game. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6), or black may play 2...Bg7 (see 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7). Also white can play 2.Nc3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 for English (A16, see 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6). This can lead to King's Indian Defense (E97), Grünfeld Defense (D85), King's Indian (E95), or English (A15). Or black may play 2...Bg7 for English (A10, see 1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7). This can lead to King's Indian Defense (E97), Modern Defense, Averbakh System (A42), English (A16), or English (A36). Also white can play 2.Nf3. Then black may play 2...Nf6 (given above). Or black may play 2...c5 for Réti Opening (A04, see 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 g6). This can lead to Reti Opening (A04) or Sicilian, Accelerated Fianchetto (B36).

1...c6

White can play 2.e4, which is usually reached by 1.e4 c6 2.c4 so see Caro-Kann Defense. Then black may play 2...d5 (see 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5), or black may play 2...e5 (see 1.e4 c6 2.c4 e5). Also white can play 2.d4. Then black may play 2...d5 for Slav Defense (D10, see 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6). This can lead to Slav Defense (D15), Queen's Gambit Declined (D30), Slav Defense (D10), or Queen's Gambit Declined (D31). Or black may play 2...Nf6 for Slav Defense (D15, see 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6). This can lead to Slav Defense (D15) or Slav Defense (D10).

If White plays an early d4, the game will usually transpose into either the Queen's Gambit or an Indian defence. For example, after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.d4 d5 the game has transposed into the Grünfeld Defence, usually reached by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5.

Note, however, that White can also play 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4, making it impossible for Black to reach a Grünfeld, instead more or less forcing him into lines of the King's Indian Defence with 3...d6. Black also cannot force a Grünfeld with 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5, since White can deviate with 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3, a line played several times by Mikhail Botvinnik in 1958, in his final match for the world championship with Vasily Smyslov.

Instead of playing an early d4, White can also play Nf3 and fianchetto the king's bishop (g3 and Bg2), transposing into a Reti Opening.

Also, after 1.c4 c6, white can transpose into the Polish Opening, Outflank Variation, by playing 2.b4!?, which can be used as a surprise weapon if Black does not know very much about the Polish Opening.^[5]

The many different transpositional possibilities available to White make the English a slippery opening for Black to defend against, and make it necessary for him to consider carefully what move order to employ. For instance, if Black would like to play a Queen's Gambit Declined, the most accurate move order to do so is 1...e6 2.d4 d5. (Of course, White can again play the Reti instead with 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3.) If Black plays instead 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 e6, White can avoid the QGD by playing 3.e4.

Common responses

Opening theoreticians who write on the English Opening break the opening down into three broad categories, generally determined by Black, who selects one of three types of defensive setups. These include the Symmetrical Defense (classified A30s in ECO), which is 1...c5, and is so named because both of the c-pawns are advanced two squares, maintaining symmetry. Note that Black can reach the Symmetrical Defense through many move orders by playing a delayed ...c5, and in fact often does. For example, 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 (or 2.Nf3) c5 is a Symmetrical Defense even though Black played ...c5 on move two.

Another broad category of defence Black can choose against the English Opening is called the Reverse(d) Sicilian (classified A20s in ECO), which is introduced by the response 1...e5. Note again, that Black can delay playing ...e5, for example 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5 whereupon even though ...e5 has been delayed, once it is played the defence is classified as a Reverse Sicilian.

The third broad category are the non-...e5 and non-...c5 responses, classified A10s in ECO. Most often these defences consist of ...Nf6, ...e6, and ...d5 or ...Bb4 systemic responses by Black, or a Slav-like system consisting of ...c6 and ...d5, a direct King's Indian Defense setup with ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7, ...0-0, after which ...c5 and ...e5 are eschewed, or 1...f5, which usually transposes to a Dutch Defense once White plays d4. All irregular responses such as 1...b6 and 1...g5 are also lumped into this third broad category.

Common responses include:^[1]

1...Nf6 The most common response to 1.c4, often played in hopes of getting an Indian Defence. However, more than half the time after playing this first move, Black subsequently elects to transpose into either a Symmetrical Defense with ...c5, or a Reversed Sicilian with ...e5.

1...e5 White has black's position in the Sicilian but with a tempo up. This is often called the reverse-Sicilian,^[6] though others call this the King's English. Bruce Leverett, writing the English chapter in MCO14, stated, "It is natural to treat the English as a Sicilian reversed, but the results are often surprising--main lines in the Sicilian Defense correspond to obscure side variations in the English, and vice versa."

1...e6 (Can lead to a Queen's Gambit Declined after 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4, but White often prefers 2.Nf3).

1...c5 (the Symmetrical Variation) including attempts to try the Hedgehog system.^[7]

1...f5 leads to a Dutch Defense when White follows up with d4.

1...g6 may lead to a Modern Defense or after d6 and Nf6 to the King's Indian Defence, or stay within English lines.

1...c6 (Can lead to a Slav Defence after 2.d4 d5, but White will often prefer a Caro-Kann Defence with 2.e4 d5, or a Reti Opening after 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3).

1...b6 The English Defence. This setup involves the fianchetto of the queenside bishop and 2...e6. Often Black will defer the move ....Nf6, choosing to attack the center with ...f5 and/or ...Qh4. The English grandmasters Anthony Miles and Jonathan Speelman have successfully used this opening.

1...g5 An eccentric response known as Myers' Defense after Hugh Myers' advocacy of it in print and actual play.^[8][9][10] It is intended as an improved Grob's Attack; after 2.d4, Black will put pressure on the d4 square with moves such as ...Bg7, ...c5, and ...Qb6.^[9][11] According to Nunn's Chess Openings, White obtains a small advantage after 2.d4 Bg7 (offering a Grob-like gambit: 3.Bxg5 c5) 3.Nc3 h6 4.e4.^[12] Myers recommended 3...c5 (instead of 3...h6); in response, Joel Benjamin advocates 4.dxc5!^[9]

1...b5 The Jaenisch Gambit, after Russian Grandmaster Carl Jaenisch.^[13]

Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings has classified the English Opening under the codes A10 through A39:

• A10 1.c4
• A11 1.c4 c6
• A12 1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3
• A13 1.c4 e6
• A14 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.0-0
• A15 1.c4 Nf6
• A16 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3
• A17 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6
• A18 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 (Mikenas-Carls Variation)
• A19 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5
• A20 1.c4 e5
• A21 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3
• A22 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6
• A23 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 c6 (Bremen System, Keres Variation)
• A24 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 (Bremen System with ...g6)
• A25 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6
• A26 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6
• A27 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 (Three Knights System)
• A28 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6
• A29 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 (Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto)
• A30 1.c4 c5 (Symmetrical Variation)
• A31 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 (Symmetrical, Benoni Formation)
• A32 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6
• A33 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nc3 Nc6
• A34 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3
• A35 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6
• A36 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3
• A37 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3
• A38 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6
• A39 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.0-0 0-0 7.d4

See also

• List of chess openings
• List of chess openings named after places

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Meyer-Kahlen, Stefan. "Shredder opening database statistics". http://www.shredderchess.com/online-chess/online-databases/opening-database.html. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
2. ^ "Chess Opening Explorer". Chessgames.com. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/explorer. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
3. ^ "Chess Openings Database statistics". http://www.chessopeningsdatabase.com/Chess-Openings-Database.htm#20090816. Retrieved 2009-08-16. 
4. ^ ^{a b} De Firmian, Nick (2008). Modern Chess Openings: MCO-15. New York: David McKay Co.. pp. 675. ISBN 978-0-8129-3682-7. 
5. ^ Silman, Jeremy (2004). "The Dynamic English". http://www.jeremysilman.com/book_reviews_js/js_dynamic_english.html. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
6. ^ Weeks, Mark. "Chess Opening Tutorial : English - 1...e5". About, Inc.. http://chess.about.com/od/improveyouropenings/ss/aa05i17_2.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
7. ^ De Firmian, Nick (1999). Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. New York: David McKay Co.. pp. 661–665. ISBN 0812930843. 
8. ^ ChessBase.com, Hugh Myers (1930-2008), opening theoretician (2008-12-25). Retrieved on 2008-12-25.
9. ^ ^{a b c} Stefan Bücker, The Impoliteness of Ice Age Openings. Retrieved on 2005-12-27.
10. ^ Rick Kennedy, Review of A Chess Explorer. Retrieved on 2008-12-27.
11. ^ Watson remarks, "Note ... how White (by his shockingly committal first move) has forfeited his chance for [c3], the key move in several of the most effective defences to Grob's Attack". John L. Watson, English: Franco, Slav and Flank Defences, Batsford, 1981, p. 103. ISBN 0-7134-2690-X. Watson considers 1...g5 "playable". Id.
12. ^ John Nunn, Graham Burgess, John Emms, and Joe Gallagher, Nunn's Chess Openings, Everyman Publishers, 1999, p. 19 n. 1. ISBN 1-85744-221-0.
13. ^ http://www.365chess.com/opening.php?m=3&n=887&ms=c4.b5&ns=15.887

Further reading

• Kallai, Gabor; Ribli, Zoltán (1993). Winning With the English. Henry Holt. ISBN 9780805026429. 
• Kosten, Tony (1999). The Dynamic English. Gambit Publications. ISBN 9781901983142. 
• Hansen, Carsten (2001). The Symmetrical English. Gambit. ISBN 9781901983401. 
• Pritchett, Craig (2008). Play the English. Everyman Chess. ISBN 9781857445459. 

External links

• Database Of English Opening Variations