A31

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni 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

Aronian,L vs Gass,U1-0
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Pantsulaia,L1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2003★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2003★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Kramnik,V1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2000★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Bakhtadze, Giorgi1-0
Wch U20 • 1999★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 4th • 1995★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Adams, Michael1-0
Dortmund • 1992★ Notable
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Amsterdam Interzonal • 1964★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
Bullet Chess Winners 2024 • 2024
Mamedyarov,S vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
SuperUnited Blitz 2022 • 2022
Leko,P vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Legends of Chess Prelim • 2020
Vidit,S vs Aronian,L1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2019
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Georgiadis,N1-0
52nd Biel GM Blitz 2019 • 2019
Keymer,Vincent vs Danin,A1/2-1/2
1st Bamberg Open 2018 • 2018
Anand,V vs Vachier Lagrave,M1/2-1/2
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017
Giri,A vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Du Te Cup 2017 • 2017
Svidler,P vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
TCh-RUS Rapid 2015 • 2015
Ivanchuk,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
SportAccord Basque 2014 • 2014

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