2. c4 is a very common move in the English Opening, competing for the d5 square. It is also very flexible, allowing white to transpose into Queen's Pawn openings with a later d4 move or various lines in the English Opening (1.c4).
This position is also often reached with the move order 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3.
| Game | Result | Year |
| Aronian, L. (2826) vs Carlsen, M. (2872) | 1-0 | 2014 |
| Carlsen, Magnus (2872) vs Aronian, Levon (2809) | 1/2-1/2 | 2013 |
| Ding, Liren (2791) vs Carlsen, Magnus (2863) | 1/2-1/2 | 2020 |
| Carlsen, M. (2875) vs Mamedyarov, S. (2774) | 1/2-1/2 | 2019 |
| So, W. (2815) vs Carlsen, M. (2832) | 0-1 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M. (2832) vs So, W. (2815) | 1-0 | 2017 |
| Carlsen, M.. (2862) vs Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2784) | 1/2-1/2 | 2020 |
| Carlsen, M.. (2862) vs Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2784) | 1-0 | 2021 |
| Carlsen, M. (2872) vs Mamedyarov, S. (2772) | 1-0 | 2019 |
| Carlsen, M. (2872) vs Mamedyarov, S. (2772) | 1-0 | 2019 |