Chess opening · ECO A20
English Opening: King's English Variation
When Black answers 1.c4 with 1...e5, the pawn structure matches the Sicilian Defense with the colors swapped. White is effectively playing Black's side of a Sicilian with an extra tempo. Black, in turn, gets a fast hold on the center and the d4 square. Much of the play in the King's English revolves around the d5 square, which White's c-pawn and pieces try to control.
- Rank by weighted share
- #45 of 159
Key moves
1. c4 e5
- 1... e5The e-pawn takes a full share of the center and frees Black's dark-squared bishop. It also eyes d4, so White has to think twice before pushing the d-pawn there, because after ...exd4 Qxd4 the queen can be hit by ...Nc6.
The closed setup with g3 and Bg2
The classic closed plan pairs Nc3 with g3, Bg2 and d3. The g2 bishop covers d5 and looks along the diagonal toward b7, and the Nc3 knight backs up the same square. This is close to the Closed Sicilian with colors reversed.
Black often mirrors with ...Nc6, ...g6 and ...Bg7, then often adds ...d6 and ...f5 for kingside space, bringing the g8 knight to e7 or f6.
Queenside play for White
Once the kingside is set, White's main expansion is on the queenside. A rook goes to b1 and the b-pawn advances to b4 and b5, aimed at Black's knight on c6 and the pawns around it.
Both sides fianchetto
2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. d3 d6
White's c4 pawn and g2 bishop both bear on d5, and the bishop also eyes the c6 knight. Black's e5 pawn holds d4. White can now prepare Rb1 and b4, while Black often looks at ...f5 or ...Nge7.
Top replies by rating
Nc3 tops every band from 1200 up. Below 1200 e4 leads, and from 1800 up g3 sits in second place.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.