A30

English Opening: Wing Gambit

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 Anand,V1/2-1/2
10th Norway Chess 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Le Quang Liem vs Corrales Jimenez,F0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 13 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Cordova,E1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 10 • 2020★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs So,W0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Aronian,L vs So,W1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Giri,A vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
80th Tata Steel GpA • 2018★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Kasparov,G1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Zurich Korchnoi CC 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Anand,V1-0
Zurich Korchnoi CC 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Gelfand,B1-0
6th Zurich Opening Blitz • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2016 • 2016★ Notable
So,W vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
78th Tata Steel GpA • 2016★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Giri,A vs So,W1/2-1/2
3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1-0
3rd Norway Chess 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
4th London Chess Classic • 2012★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable

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