A15
English Orangutan
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 Opening523A11 - English Opening: Caro-Kann Defensive System469A12 - Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation163A13 - English Opening: Neo-Catalan1270A14 - Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation703A16 - English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense478A17 - English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense435A18 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls Variation223A19 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian64
Best Games
Caruana,F vs So,W1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
So,W vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2024★ Notable
So,W vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
57th Biel GM1 Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Praggnanandhaa,R0-1
Tata Steel IND Blitz Open • 2023★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Radjabov,T1-0
Tata Steel IND Blitz Open • 2023★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
56th Biel GM Rapid 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
9th Sinquefield Cup TB • 2022★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
FIDE Grand Prix 3 Playoff • 2022★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
FIDE Grand Prix 3 Pool B • 2022★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Kamsky,G1/2-1/2
54th Biel GM Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Vachier Lagrave,M1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Jerusalem FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Duda,J vs Svidler,P1-0
Riga FIDE Grand Prix 2019 • 2019★ Notable