Opening name: English Opening
Opening line: 1. c4 e5
Lichess Board
Wikibooks Page
Winning percentages
White: 12861 (30.76%)
Black: 10193 (24.38%)
Draws: 18763 (44.87%)
English Opening
1...e5
This move creates a reverse Sicilian but it's White's move and the aim for White to create an advantage leads generally to different positions.
White's choices are now:
- 2. Nc3, the normal move
- 2. g3 many transposition possibilities
- 2. Nf3 can lead to a reversed Alekhine's Defence of sorts if Black replies with ...e4, with the option of cxd5 if Black tries to advance the d-pawn
- 2. d4 gives away any advantage
Most popular responses
2. Nc3 (English Opening) An instant way of reinforcing the attack on d5, Nc3 is the standard second move of the independent lines of the English opening. This move is also useful because it allows 3.Nf3, although some players prefer to play the Bremen System with 3.g3 preparing for 4.Bg2, and thus increasing control over d5 and keeping two good options for the development of the king's knight (a standard Nf3 or Ne2, which keeps the long diagonal open and offers some protection against the pinning and possible exchange of the other knight). Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (33118172 games)
2. g3 (English Opening) Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (8019444 games)
Engine Evaluation
Depth: 59
Score: +0.12
Best Move: g3
PV Line: 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. d4 e4 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bg5 d5
Historical games for English Opening
| Game | Result | Year |
| Carlsen, Magnus (2863) vs Caruana, Fabiano (2835) | 1/2-1/2 | 2020 |
| Carlsen, Magnus (2863) vs Caruana, Fabiano (2835) | 1-0 | 2020 |
| Carlsen, M. (2876) vs Caruana, F. (2812) | 1/2-1/2 | 2019 |
| Carlsen, M. (2875) vs Ding Liren (2805) | 1/2-1/2 | 2019 |
| Carlsen, M. (2835) vs Caruana, F. (2832) | 1/2-1/2 | 2018 |
| Carlsen, M. (2835) vs Caruana, F. (2832) | 1-0 | 2018 |
| Carlsen, M. (2835) vs Caruana, F. (2832) | 1/2-1/2 | 2018 |
| Ding, Liren (2791) vs Carlsen, Magnus (2863) | 0-1 | 2020 |
| Vachier Lagrave, M. (2779) vs Carlsen, M. (2875) | 1/2-1/2 | 2019 |
| Ding, Liren (2791) vs Carlsen, Magnus (2863) | 0-1 | 2020 |