The English Opening

The English Opening is an opening that contests the center, and flanks the queenside, launching a strong attack, which allows for a very accurate middle game, but this opening also challenges the previously thought-set-in-stone classical approach to the game.

Unusual, as we are supposed to play e4, or d4, but the English is amazing for the reason that it gives us control of the board early on and throughout the most common variants, what we play remains very similar. Let's say they play c5, The Symmetrical. We continue with Nc3, and they play Nc6, Nf3, Nf6, g3, g6, Bg2, bg7. Looking like this. 

That is a very common variant, we usually castle, and continue with d3. Now The Great snake variation, we play c4, and they play g6, we play Nc3, and they play Nf6, then Nf3. Looking like this. 

Where we fianchetto our light-squared bishop like last time, and castle, then d3, notice how similar it is to the Symmetrical on our part. then the reversed Sicilian, we play c4, and they play e5, then Nc3, Then Nc6. Looking like.

Another common variant is Anglo-Indian, beginning with 1 c4. Nf6. 2 g3. g6. Looking like this. 

We play g3 to fianchetto the bishop, that way we can prevent Nd5, and Ne4, also to control the center allowing for Nc3 and Nf3. Finally, The Agincourt defense. Which goes 1 c4. e6. 2 Nc3. d5. Looking like this. 

There are entire sub-variations for whether or not we capture, but usually it's best to play 3 cxd5. exd5. don't play 4 Nxd5. Because that allows Qxd5 which makes you lose material and puts their queen in the center. I'd recommend the free material on lichess for further learning of the English. Thank you for reading,