A19

English Opening: Mikenas-Carls, Sicilian

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 Rapport,R0-1
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1-0
Linares • 1991★ Notable
Seirawan, Yasser vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
WchT • 1989★ Notable
Kortschnoj, Viktor vs Karpov, Anatoly1-0
World Championship 29th • 1978★ Notable
Short,N vs Pasaribu,Ivan Maxmillian Putra1-0
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016
Ivanchuk,V vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
SportAccord Blitz Men 2012 • 2012
Vachier Lagrave,M vs L'Ami,E1/2-1/2
73rd Tata Steel GMA • 2011
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ribli, Zoltan1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia8990 • 1989
Spassky, Boris V vs Ivanov, Igor V1/2-1/2
Toluca Interzonal • 1982
Adorjan, Andras vs Polugaevsky, Lev1/2-1/2
Toluca Interzonal • 1982
Adorjan, Andras vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Riga Interzonal • 1979
Timman, Jan H vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Las Palmas • 1977
Timman, Jan H vs Najdorf, Miguel1-0
Haifa ol (Men) • 1976
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Rabar, Braslav1/2-1/2
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955
Grischuk,A vs Sargsyan,Shant1/2-1/2
4th UZB President Masters • 2025
Maghsoodloo,Parham vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 • 2025
Nakamura,Hi vs Khanbutaev,Artemii1-0
70th Iowa Open 2025 • 2025
Ivanchuk,V vs Ahmad,Khagan1-0
25th ch-EUR Indiv 2025 • 2025
Duda,J vs Xu,Yi1-0
Titled Tue 21st May Early • 2024
Svidler,P vs Dardha,Daniel1/2-1/2
World Rapid 2023 • 2023

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