Chess Opening Explorer

1. c4 - English Opening

This opening is very flexible. It can transpose into many others.

Black's responses

• 1...e5 is a "reversed" Sicilian Defence.
• 1...e6 will probably end up in a Queen's Gambit Declined. This is known as the Agincourt Defense. However, if White plays 2. d4 then Black plays 2... Nf6, it is a typical Indian game (1. d4 nf6 2. c4 e6 is the normal order)
• 1...c6 will usually either transpose into the Caro-Kann Defence or the Slav Defence.
• 1...Nf6 or 1...g6 are likely to transpose into an Indian Defence.
• 1...b6 will in all likelihood transpose into the English Defence.
• 1...f5, the Anglo-Dutch Defence, leads to sharp tactical lines for Black, but can open a powerful kingside attack. This is likely to transpose into the regular Dutch Defense after 2. d4.
• 1...d5 is seldom played but may transpose into the Queen's Gambit or the Réti Opening.
• 1...g5, the Myers Defence, gives White a small advantage.
• 1...b5 normally gives good chances for Black, even though the Halibut Gambit is considered unsound at the professional level.

Most "pure" English lines come from the Symmetrical Variation (1...c5) and are quite hard to play and to understand.