ENGLISH OPENING

INTRODUCTION

English opening is a flank chess opening(moves other than e4 or d4 are played in the starting of a game) in which white starts the game with c4 rather than e4 or d4.It is considered as the fourth most popular chess opening in the world. The English opening allows you to develop into a very adaptable player because it is fairly flexible. Transposing into other openings, such as the 1.d4-complex or the Reti Opening, is common (1.Nf3). Because English unofficial World Chess Champion Howard Staunton introduced and frequently played the opening in the 1840s and 1850s, it is known as the English Opening.

In this opening White immediately grabs some central space and takes the d5 square under control. I’ll now demonstrate most often used iterations of this opening as well as some plays you should avoid making because they can result in a quick loss of position or a match.

These are some of the most common variations of this opening; you don’t need to memorise them all; instead, attempt to grasp the fundamental concept of using that opening. There is no law in the game of chess that says you have to play the opening exactly as it is; openings are only intended to help you develop your pieces, and you are free to do so however you see fit.

1)KINGS ENGLISH VARIATION

White plays c4 to start the game, and Black reacts by playing e5. The knights of both white and black begin to develop as they attempt to seize the central squares. In response, Black moves Bb4, exerting pressure on White’s knight on Nc3 while White plays Be2 to safeguard its knight on Nf3. After White castles, Black makes the surprise move of playing e4 in an effort to put pressure on the Nf3 knight. By placing its knight on the d4 square, White provides protection to it. Black takes the d4 knight, and white takes it with e3 pawn.
You can now clearly see that white is playing a defending game while black is slightly offensive, but this does not imply that white is losing or is in a bad situation.

2)SYMMETRICAL VARIATION

As the name implies, in the symmetrical variation, both white and black attempt to play symmetrically or mimic one another’s moves. White makes the third move, Nc3, and Black makes the third move, e6, opening the bishop line. Black responds with a b6 pawn after White plays the g3 pawn. Bishops are developed from the side from both sides. White then castles to protect his king, and black counters by raising its bishop on square e7. White moves the d4 pawn to attack the c5 pawn. Black’s c5 piece successfully captures the white pawn. With the queen attempting to play somewhat aggressively captures the black pawn on d4 square. Black castles to safeguard his king . By putting its bishop on the f4 square, White continues to play an aggressive game. The queen comes under pressure as Black plays Nc6.White places its queen on d2 square to defend it.Black moves Na5 putting pressure on c4 pawn.White moves its queen on d3 square to protects its pawn attacked by knight.Black moves d6 ending the opening.

Now you can see that there is a symmetry in the game,black can attack from the left side and white can attack from the right side.

3)ANGLO SCANDINAVIAN DEFENCE

When black plays d5 in response to c4, the Anglo-Scandinavian defence begins. Black sacrifices its pawn and moves to c6 in place of capturing the d5 pawn with its queen.The c6 pawn is once more taken by White. Black uses its knight to capture the white pawn. A slight positional advantage in terms of piece development is all that is intended by the sacrifice. When White plays e3, its line of bishops is opened. Black reacts by playing e5 on the turn. Now, the knights of white and black both advance. Black makes the sixth move, Bd6, defending its pawn on the e5 square. White deploys d4 to engage the pawn on e5. White develops its bishop on the e2 square while Black castles on the king side. After Black plays Bf5, White captures the e5 pawn,then black captures it with its bishop.

Now that you can clearly see it, black is in a slight attacking position and also has more developed pieces, although white is pawn up. I won’t advise playing this variation if you are a beginner.

4)SNAKE VARIATION TURNING INTO KING INDIAN DEFENCE

Black responds to c4 by moving to g6, which starts the snake variation. Then, after black plays Nf6 and develops its knight, white develops a pawn on square d4. As the moves like g6 and Nf6 are played, which are also used in the King Indian defence, it transforms into king Indian defence from the black side. After White moves Nc3, Black reacts by playing c5, which attacks the d4 pawn. White instead moves the pawn to position d5. Black pushes d6  opening its white bishop’s line. White moves piece e4, claiming all of the middle squares. With Bg7 fully establishing its king side, Black ends the opening.
The pawns on the d5, e4, and c4 squares make it obvious that white is slightly in an offensive position.
Black, though, is taking a slight defensive posture.

5)REVERSE SICILIAN

Reverse Sicilian Dragon is a fairly straightforward and condensed beginning. White moves the g3 pawn, resulting in a right-side dragon variation. Black also uses the move Bc5 to assault the f2 pawn. White has now protected his king side and may attack from the right side by playing a4 and b4 pwn. In order to control the game, Black must counterattack from the king side in order to dominate the game.

6)FOUR KNIGHTS VARIATION

In the four knights variation, as the name implies, the knights are created from both sides at the beginning of the game. By advancing the g3 pawn and Bf2, White additionally strengthens its king side. Black answers by capturing the d5 piece with his knight after White  captures it with its c4 pawn. Black maintains both knights on the queen side and white castles on the king side.
There is a neutral situation for both white and black in the four-knight variation, which makes it a fairly straightforward opening.

TRAPS IN ENGLISH OPENING

Here you can see that white gains an positional advantage as it can move to Nb5 in the next move.

GAMES PLAYED IN ENGLISH OPENING BY TOP PLAYERS

Here are some links to the games in which english opening was played.You can analyse these games and see how grandmasters approach the opening.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1)What is the English Opening in chess?

Ans-The English Opening is a chess opening that begins with the move 1.c4. It is a flexible and aggressive opening that allows White to control the center of the board and create a strong pawn structure.

2)How is the English Opening different from other openings?

Ans-The English Opening is considered a more flexible and less predictable opening compared to 1.e4, as it can lead to a variety of different pawn structures and tactical scenarios. It can also be used to surprise an opponent who may be more prepared for other common openings.

3)What are some common responses to the English Opening?

Ans-Black has several options for responding to the English Opening, including 1…e5, 1…c5, and 1…Nf6. Each of these responses leads to different pawn structures and tactical scenarios, so it’s important for White to be familiar with all of them.

4)What are some common traps in the English Opening?

Ans-One of the traps in the English Opening is the Two Knights Defense, which can lead to a difficult position for White if they are not familiar with the tactical motifs. Another trap is the King’s Indian Attack, which can be a powerful weapon for Black if White is not prepared.

5)How can I improve my play in the English Opening?

Ans-To improve your play in the English Opening, it’s important to study the different pawn structures and tactical motifs that can arise from this opening. You should also study the games of strong players who use the English Opening, and try to understand the reasoning behind their moves. Practicing against a computer or a strong player can also help you to improve your play.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the English Opening is a versatile and flexible opening that allows White to control the center and develop their pieces quickly. It is a great choice for players who want to avoid the more well-known openings, such as the Sicilian Defense or the French Defense, and play for a win or a draw depending on the situation.

Although there is an unlimited amount of theory linked to English openings or any other openings, but the major topics are discussed in this article. You are now prepared to play the opening, and it will only take some time for you to become an expert if you continue to practice.