A32

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann 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.

Best Games

Radjabov,T vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1-0
WCh Candidates s/f • 2007★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2007★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Dreev,A0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Pantsulaia,L1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
34th Olympiad • 2000★ Notable
Kasparov,G vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Braingames WCC • 2000★ Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Kramnik, Vladimir0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 • 1999★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Kramnik, Vladimir1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Ponomariov, Ruslan1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 • 1999★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Adams, Michael0-1
Dortmund • 1998★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Rachels, Stuart1-0
Wch U20 • 1988★ Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Polugaevsky, Lev1-0
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Fischer, Robert James0-1
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Rapport,R1-0
Aimchess Rapid Prelim • 2022
Gukesh,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
Junior Speed Qual Asia • 2021
Gukesh,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Junior Speed Qual Asia • 2021
Ivanchuk,V vs Kramnik,V0-1
Legends of Chess Prelim • 2020
Le Quang Liem vs Vachier Lagrave,M1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018

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