A39
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking 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 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 Fianchetto145
Best Games
Gelfand, Boris vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 1999Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Kamsky, Gata0-1
PCA-Wch Candidats m4 1994Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
Linares 1990Notable
Fischer, Robert James vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
World Championship 28th 1972Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Amsterdam Interzonal 1964Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Munoz, Cesar0-1
WchT U26 1957Notable
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
GCT Finals 2025 2025
Radjabov,T vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Titled Tue 9th Jan Early 2024
Giri,A vs Duda,J1-0
Superbet Blitz 2023 2023
Ivanchuk,V vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Makedonia Palace GP 2013
Kramnik,V vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
World Blitz 2009
Karpov,Ana vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
GpB 2006
Gelfand,B vs Carlsen,M1-0
World Blitz 2006
Gelfand, Boris vs Polgar, Judit1/2-1/2
Dos Hermanas 1999
Kasparov, Gary vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Kosmos m 5' 1998
Timman, Jan H vs Khalifman, Alexander1-0
Donner mem 1995
Khalifman, Alexander vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Elenite 1994
Topalov, Veselin vs Leko, Peter1/2-1/2
Leon 1993
Ehlvest, Jaan vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia91 Top16 1991
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
GMA-qual f 1990