A35
English Opening: Symmetrical 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 Defense189A33 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation488A34 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation610A36 - 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
Gukesh,D vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1-0
55th Biel GM Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
54th Biel GM Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Martinez Alcantara,Jose Eduardo1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 11 • 2020★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Navara,D vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Ding Liren vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
80th Tata Steel GpA • 2018★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Anand,V1-0
Zurich Korchnoi CC 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2016 • 2016★ Notable