Chess opening · ECO A21
English Opening: King's English Variation, Reversed Sicilian
After 1.c4 e5, the move 2.Nc3 joins the c-pawn in covering d5 and also watches e4. That makes an early ...d5 from Black harder to arrange. The knight also becomes a target: a black bishop on b4 can trade itself for it and damage White's queenside pawns. The play revolves around whether Black can still get ...d5 in.
- Rank by weighted share
- #75 of 159
Key moves
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3
- 2. Nc3The knight adds a second guard on d5 and covers e4. In return it gives Black a target, since a later ...Bb4 can take it and, after bxc3, leave White with doubled c-pawns.
The reversed Dragon after ...d5
If Black plays ...Nf6 and then ...d5 after White's g3, White can take with cxd5 and Black recaptures with the knight. The pawns now match a Sicilian Dragon with colors reversed. White's bishop on g2 hits the knight on d5, which usually drops back to b6.
Black gets a pawn on e5 and quick development. White has the half-open c-file and often pushes a3 and b4 to gain queenside space.
Why ...Bb4 eyes the c3 knight
The bishop on b4 does not pin the knight to the king, since White's d2 pawn stands in the way. The threat is ...Bxc3, giving up the bishop to double White's pawns on the c-file. White can answer with Nd5, sidestepping the trade and hitting the bishop, or allow the exchange in return for the two bishops.
Into the reversed Dragon
2... Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nb6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7
White's c-pawn has been traded for Black's d-pawn, leaving White a half-open c-file. Black's knights on b6 and c6 guard d5 and d4, and Black is one move from castling.
Top replies by rating
Nf6 leads every band from 1200 up. At 1800 and up f5 climbs into the top three, alongside Nc6.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nc6 25% | Nf6 25% | Bc5 12% |
| 1200–1399 | Nf6 31% | Bc5 13% | Nc6 13% |
| 1400–1599 | Nf6 36% | Bc5 14% | Nc6 11% |
| 1600–1799 | Nf6 40% | Bc5 11% | d6 11% |
| 1800–1999 | Nf6 43% | Nc6 15% | f5 14% |
| 2000 and up | Nf6 41% | Nc6 25% | f5 13% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.