A17
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense
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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
A10 - English Opening523A11 - English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System469A12 - Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation163A13 - English Opening: Neo-Catalan1270A14 - Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation703A15 - English Orangutan1441A16 - English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense478A18 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls Variation223A19 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian64
Best Games
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Anand,V1-0
9th London Classic 2017 2017Notable
Kramnik,V vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
2nd London Chess Classic 2010Notable
Grischuk,A vs Karjakin,Sergey0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Kramnik,V vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
Amber Rapid 2007Notable
Pantsulaia,L vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Motylev,A1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Topalov,V vs Abulhul,T1-0
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Zvjaginsev,V vs Adams,Mi0-1
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Zvjaginsev,V vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Khalifman,A vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Yermolinsky,A vs Adams,Mi0-1
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 1999Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Amber Blindfold 1999Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Adams, Michael1-0
Linares16th 1999Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Dortmund 1998Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 6th 1997Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Amber-blind 6th 1997Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Karpov, Anatoly1-0
Dortmund 1997Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Adams, Michael1-0
Dortmund 1996Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 5th 1996Notable