Control d4. Because it got played by Staunton. No, you should not, unless you really want to.
1.c4
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I think d5 is controlled
I started playing 1c4 in the last year. IMHO there are four major responses:
1....e5 and white is playing a Sicilian in reverse
1.....e6.....or c6 transposing (possibly) to Queens Gambit positions
1....c5 symmetrical where white will try and use the advantage of the move
1....Nf6 where white CAN AVOID THE NIMZO but transpose to other Indian Systems.
It's a big subject. 1c4 is very flexible. I play it to avoid the Nimzo - not original - and I don't want to play early Nf3 systems as white.
It got it's name "English" from Howard Staunton usage I believe.
I started playing it after playing 1d4 for a few years. I switched from 1e4 to 1d4 because of the power of the Sicilian 1e4 c5 as black then gradually came over to the idea of opening it as white . I liked Queens Gambit positions as white and was happy facing the KID and Grunfeld but not the Nimzo.
Should you play it ? I'm sure the "experts" will say no. But if you do you can expect to have a tremendous variety of games.
What are the ideas? And how it got named 'English opening'
Should I play it?Please tell.