English Opening

Chessboard showing the English Opening with the moves 1. c4 played
Contents
Learn the Opening
Play against Stockfish

The English opening is a flexible opening, in which one can often switch to other opening systems; for example, to the Queen’s Gambit, to the Indian Defence or to the Sicilian, many options are available. No other opening system offers such a variety of possibilities.

Studies about the English Opening

Learn the English Opening using public studies.

English Opening Repertoire
 213 by Arne

This is a comprehensive English opening (1. c4) repertoire. It is best suited for intermediate level players and above (~1500+).

English Opening Repertoire
 21 by tomcraven

English Opening Repertoire

English c4
 7 by quinnm

Based on https://lichess.org/study/5hv8FruF

English
 5 by itsumogakusei

As central control and good development are so important during the opening, mankind would have been forgiven for thinking that 1 e4 and 1 d4 were the only worthwhile first moves. However, the games of Howard Staunton demonstrated another approach, beginning with 1 c4 - White doesn't immediately occupy the centre with his pawns but instead prefers to control the central squares (with a pawn on c4, knights on c3 and f3, and a bishop on g2), waiting for Black to reveal his development before committing the e- and d-pawns. This approach can begin with a wide variety of moves - 1 c4 is the

Play against Stockfish

Play the English Opening
Play against the English Opening

Do you want to try out the English Opening? Train this opening against Stockfish.

Play against Stockfish either as white or black and explore the opening.