The English Opening

The English Opening starting with 1. c4 is a modern way to handle the opening phase of the game. This opening is a "flank" opening since it starts with a side pawn rather than the central 1. e4 or 1. d4 moves. Many players from chess history and today's top grandmasters have used it with success.     

History of the English Opening

One of the first players to use the English Opening successfully was Howard Staunton. But how did Staunton handled this opening? Take note of the slow maneuvering he uses instead of a direct attack which was more common for this time period.

In the game, Staunton player very patiently, building his position move by move until he launched a crushing attack.

Important Games

Let's fast forward 167 years to see how world champion challenger Fabiano Caruana defeats former World Champion Viswanathan Anand using the English Opening.

Caruana played the English Opening in a very aggressive and direct way. This opening suits both aggressive and positional play based on White having a strong structure and a safe king. 

This opening can also transpose into other openings, most commonly Queen’s Gambit Declined as shown below.