A11
English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System
Key moves: 1.c4
The English Opening is a flexible first move that can transpose into many different opening systems. It controls the d5 square and often leads to positions where White fianchettoes on the kingside. It can lead to both positional manoeuvring and sharp tactical play.
History & Notable Players
Named after Howard Staunton who played it in the 1843 match against Saint-Amant. It became a major weapon in the 1970s through the games of Mikhail Botvinnik and has been used by virtually every World Champion since.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
A10 - English Opening523A12 - Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation163A13 - English Opening: Neo-Catalan1270A14 - Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation703A15 - English Orangutan1441A16 - English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense478A17 - English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense435A18 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls Variation223A19 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian64
Best Games
Keymer,Vincent vs So,W1-0
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Tata Steel IND Rapid Open 2023Notable
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PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 2020Notable
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WCh Women 2016 2016Notable
Aronian,L vs Shirov,A0-1
5th Zurich Opening Blitz 2016Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2014 2014Notable
Aronian,L vs Andreikin,D1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2014 2014Notable
Grischuk,A vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Gelfand,B vs Karjakin,Sergey0-1
Amber Blindfold 2008Notable
Pantsulaia,L vs Gelfand,B0-1
WCC 2005Notable
Nielsen,PH vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Dizdarevic,E vs Gelfand,B0-1
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Yermolinsky, Alex vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
WchT 4th 1997Notable
Aronian, Levon vs Zhao Min Jun1-0
Wch U14 Disney 1995Notable
Hug, Werner vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
WchT 1989Notable
Fischer, Robert James vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Amsterdam Interzonal 1964Notable
Giri,A vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Chessable Masters Winners 2025
Petrosian,TL vs Grischuk,A0-1
World Rapid 2024 2024