8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h

The English Opening is the chess opening 1.c4 (in algebraic notation), the fourth most popular opening move in chess. White begins the fight for the center by staking a claim to the d5 square. Common responses are 1...e5 (which can lead to positions similar to the Sicilian Defence but with opposite colors), 1...c5 (the Symmetrical Variation), and 1...Nf6. Also perfectly playable are 1...e6 (often leading to a Queen's Gambit Declined after 2.d4 d5) and 1...c6 (often leading to a Slav Defence after 2.d4 d5, a Caro-Kann Defence after 2.e4 d5, or a Reti Opening after 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3).

The English is a very flexible opening. Although many lines of the English have a distinct character, as the above discussion suggests it often transposes into other openings. If White plays an early d4, the game will usually transpose into either the Queen's Gambit or an Indian defences. 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, and instead more or less forcing him to defend a 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.

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.

The many different transpositional possibilities available to White make the English a slippery opening for Black to defend against, and make it advisable 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 instead.

The English derives its name from the English (unofficial) world champion, Howard Staunton, who played it during his 1843 match with Amant. It fell out of favor (the opening was notably disdained by Morphy), but is now recognized as a solid opening that may be used to reach both classical and hypermodern positions. Botvinnik, Karpov, and Kasparov all employed it during their world championship matches. Bobby Fischer created a stir when he switched to it from the King's Pawn against Spassky in 1972.

Sources

• Modern Chess Openings, 14th ed., pgs. 661-665.