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.
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 Variation703A15 - English Orangutan1441A17 - English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense435A18 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls Variation223A19 - English Opening: Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian64
Best Games
Gelfand,B vs He,Anthony1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 19 2020Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs He,Anthony1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 17 2020Notable
Aronian,L vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 2019Notable
Duda,J vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
43rd Olympiad 2018 2018Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Morozevich,A1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Aronian,L vs Areshchenko,A1-0
WCC 2005Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Olympiad 2002Notable
Hoffman,A vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Peng Xiaomin vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Bacrot,E vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Naumann, Alexander1-0
Wch U20 1999Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Aronian, Levon1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1999Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
WchT 4th 1997Notable
Vaganian, Rafael A vs Shirov, Alexei1/2-1/2
Wch Team 1993Notable
Ballmann, Martin vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1987Notable
Dobrey, N. vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Wch U20 1985Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 30th 1981Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Fries Nielsen, Jens Ove1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1978Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 25th 1963Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
World Championship 22th 1958Notable