A14

Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation

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

Caruana,F vs So,W1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup TB • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Giri,A1-0
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
So,W vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs So,W1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Ding Liren vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
WCh Rapid TB 2023 • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kovalev,Vl0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 • 2020★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Zhang,Alan1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 • 2020★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Dominguez Perez,L0-1
Saint Louis Rapid 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Moscow FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Kramnik,V1-0
80th Tata Steel GpA • 2018★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs So,W1/2-1/2
80th Tata Steel GpA • 2018★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Geneva Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
Sharjah Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
8th London Classic 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Aronian,L0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz 2016 • 2016★ Notable

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