A33
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller 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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
A30 - English Opening: Wing Gambit1057A31 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation180A32 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense189A34 - 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
Caruana,F vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Le,Quang Liem vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
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Rapport,R vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
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Caruana,F vs So,W1/2-1/2
8th Sinquefield Cup 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Xiong,Jeffery vs Le Quang Liem1/2-1/2
PNWCC Masters WOO 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Giri,A vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2020★ Notable
So,W vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Jerusalem FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Jerusalem FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Navara,D vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
51st Biel GM 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
6th Norway Chess 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs So,W1/2-1/2
9th London Classic 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Navara,D vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Moscow Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Navara,D vs Kasimdzhanov,R1-0
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
4th Zurich CC Classical • 2015★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Kasimdzhanov,R1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 • 2014★ Notable