A10

English Opening

Key moves: 1.c4

The English Opening is a flexible first move that can transpose into many different opening systems. It controls the d5 square and often leads to positions where White fianchettoes on the kingside. It can lead to both positional manoeuvring and sharp tactical play.

History & Notable Players

Named after Howard Staunton who played it in the 1843 match against Saint-Amant. It became a major weapon in the 1970s through the games of Mikhail Botvinnik and has been used by virtually every World Champion since.

Best Games

Keymer,Vincent vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
Tata Steel IND Blitz Open • 2023★ Notable
Le Quang Liem vs Xiong,Jeffery1/2-1/2
PNWCC Super SOS • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Bernadskiy,V1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 10 • 2020★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs So,W0-1
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
75th Tata Steel GpA • 2013★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kamsky,G0-1
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
2nd London Chess Classic • 2010★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Short, Nigel D0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Harikrishna, Penteala vs Radjabov, Teimour1-0
Wch U10 • 1996★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Shankland,S1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
2nd UzChess Cup Masters • 2025
Keymer,Vincent vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
FIDE World Bl Team 5-8th • 2025
Keymer,Vincent vs Dubov,Daniil1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024
Keymer,Vincent vs Nihal,Sarin1-0
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2024

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players