English Opening

( ECO code A10-39 ): 1.c4

Pros

1. Flexibility: The English Opening offers White great flexibility in controlling the course of the game. It allows for different pawn structures and styles of play.

2. Indirect Center Control: White puts pressure on the center indirectly rather than directly with the c4 pawn. This allows for a more flexible style of play.

3. Versatility The opening includes both positional and offensive plans and adapts to the player's style.

4. Strong Development for Rooks and Bishops: White allows effective inclusion of bishops and rooks.

5. Strategic depth: The English Opening is an opening based on strategic understanding rather than tactical calculations. It is ideal for players who like positional play.

Cons

1. Theoretical complexity: The English Opening has a wide theoretical background and it can take time to learn the different variations.

2.Dependence on the Opponent's Strategy: The way of playing can change depending on Black's moves, which can sometimes lead to a loss of control.

3. Weakness in Center Control: It does not provide center control as effectively as the classic center pawns (d4,e4).

A10: English: 1.c4

A11: English, Anglo-Slav System: 1.c4 c6

A12: English with b3: 1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3

A13: English: 1.c4 e6

A14: ........ 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O Example game A14

A15: ........ 1.c4 Nf6

A16: ........: 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3

A17: ........ 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6

A18: English, Mikenas-Carls: 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4

A19: English, Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian Variation: 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 Example game A19

A20: ........ 1.c4 e5

A21: ........: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3

A22: ........ 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6

A23: English, Bremen System, Keres Variation: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 c6 Example game A23

A24: English, Bremen System with ...g6: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 Example game A24

A25: ........ 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6

A26: ........: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6

A27: English, Three Knights System: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3

A28: English: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6

A29: English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6 g3 Example game A29

A30: English, Symmetrical: 1.c4 c5

A31: English, Symmetrical, Benoni Formation: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4

A32: ........ Symmetrical Variation: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6

A33: ........ Symmetrical Variation: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nc3 Nc6 Example game A33

A34: ........ .....................: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3

A35: ........ .....................: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6

A36: ........ .....................: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7

A37: ........ .....................: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Example game A37

A38: ........ .....................:: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6

A39: ........ .....................: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.O-O O-O 7.d4 Example game A39