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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
A30 - English Opening: Wing Gambit1057A31 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation180A33 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation488A34 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation610A35 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation463A36 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System449A37 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3495A38 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Double Fianchetto145A39 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation148
Best Games
Radjabov,T vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 2014Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1-0
WCh Candidates s/f 2007Notable
Aronian,L vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2007Notable
Gelfand,B vs Dreev,A0-1
WCC 2005Notable
Gelfand,B vs Pantsulaia,L1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Gelfand,B vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
34th Olympiad 2000Notable
Kasparov,G vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Braingames WCC 2000Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Kramnik, Vladimir0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 1999Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Kramnik, Vladimir1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Ponomariov, Ruslan1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 1999Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Adams, Michael0-1
Dortmund 1998Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 3rd 1994Notable
Gelfand, Boris vs Rachels, Stuart1-0
Wch U20 1988Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Polugaevsky, Lev1-0
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Fischer, Robert James0-1
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Rapport,R1-0
Aimchess Rapid Prelim 2022
Gukesh,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Junior Speed Qual Asia 2021
Gukesh,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
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