A16

English Opening: Anglo-Grünfeld Defense

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

Gelfand,B vs He,Anthony1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 19 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs He,Anthony1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 17 • 2020★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Duda,J vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Morozevich,A1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Areshchenko,A1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Olympiad • 2002★ Notable
Hoffman,A vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Peng Xiaomin vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Bacrot,E vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Naumann, Alexander1-0
Wch U20 • 1999★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Aronian, Levon1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
WchT 4th • 1997★ Notable
Vaganian, Rafael A vs Shirov, Alexei1/2-1/2
Wch Team • 1993★ Notable
Ballmann, Martin vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1987★ Notable
Dobrey, N. vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Wch U20 • 1985★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 30th • 1981★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Fries Nielsen, Jens Ove1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1978★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 25th • 1963★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
World Championship 22th • 1958★ Notable

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