can anyone help me play the english, i dont understand the strategy behind it or what to follow-up with, any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated

Dude the English is the hotness.

what are the variations? what is the point of the variations?is this a variation?

anyone???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Opening

http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/Openings/engidea1.html

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/english-share-your-experience-please

The English is almost always a fight over the d5 square. With 1. c4 White takes an immediate hold on d5 (an important part of the centre) without having moved either of his/her central pawns. White now waits for Black's reply and can decide later where he thinks his central pawns will be most useful. I almost always couple c4 with g3 and Bg2.

@ Mebeme - Without moving any of Black's pieces, move White's to 1.c4 2. g3 3. Bg2 4. Nc3 - Get the picture? All of White's moves are directed at the control of d5

I would suggest the use of a good database or book covering the English until you become familiar with the numerous variations. Some people think it's drawish which I think is garbage. As an example of how wild the English can be check out this game that I lost to a very good player. I should add here that I blundered on move 20. by playing g4 - I should have played axb4. I then compounded the error by not taking his Bishop offering - Oh well

http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=7834424

Here is a Master game to look over: Benko -v- Taimanov. This is an English but may actually be a better example of the minority attack.

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1138070

It's a great opening to learn - Good luck!