A18

English Opening: Mikenas-Carls Variation

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

Giri,A vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Duda,J vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
82nd Tata Steel GpA • 2020★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Anand,V1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
51st Biel GM 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
6th Norway Chess 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Ding Liren1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Anand,V vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
9th London Classic 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Aronian,L1-0
2nd Norway Chess 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Nakamura,H vs Aleksandrov,A1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Khalifman,A vs Leitao,R1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Jussupow, Artur1/2-1/2
Linares • 1991★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Tong Yuanming1/2-1/2
Wch U18 • 1990★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Barbero, Gerardo F1-0
Wch U20 • 1978★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2024 • 2024
Svidler,P vs Aronian,L0-1
AimChess Rapid Play-In • 2023
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1-0
American Cup Elim • 2023
Carlsen,M vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
Aimchess Rapid KO • 2022
Keymer,Vincent vs Duda,J1-0
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim • 2022
Giri,A vs Duda,J0-1
FTX Crypto Cup 2022 • 2022

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