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.

Best Games

Keymer,Vincent vs So,W1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Gukesh,D1-0
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open • 2023★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open • 2023★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Karthik,V41-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Muzychuk,M1/2-1/2
WCh Women 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Shirov,A0-1
5th Zurich Opening Blitz • 2016★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Andreikin,D1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Karjakin,Sergey0-1
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Pantsulaia,L vs Gelfand,B0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Nielsen,PH vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Dizdarevic,E vs Gelfand,B0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Yermolinsky, Alex vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
WchT 4th • 1997★ Notable
Aronian, Levon vs Zhao Min Jun1-0
Wch U14 Disney • 1995★ Notable
Hug, Werner vs Adams, Michael1/2-1/2
WchT • 1989★ Notable
Fischer, Robert James vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Amsterdam Interzonal • 1964★ Notable
Giri,A vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Chessable Masters Winners • 2025
Petrosian,TL vs Grischuk,A0-1
World Rapid 2024 • 2024

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