A36
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System
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
A30 - English Opening: Wing Gambit1057A31 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation180A32 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense189A33 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation488A34 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation610A35 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation463A37 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3495A38 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Double Fianchetto145A39 - English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation148
Best Games
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
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Keymer,Vincent vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1-0
Tata Steel IND Blitz Open • 2023★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Gukesh,D1-0
Tata Steel IND Blitz Open • 2023★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
So,W vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Hakobyan,Aram vs Gelfand,B1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 • 2020★ Notable
Martinez Alcantara,Jose Eduardo vs Giri,A0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 11 • 2020★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2019★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
7th Norway Chess 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Mamedyarov,S vs Anand,V0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2018★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Svidler,P0-1
Zurich Korchnoi CC 2017 • 2017★ Notable
So,W vs Giri,A1-0
78th Tata Steel GpA • 2016★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Caruana,F1-0
4th Zurich CC Rapid • 2015★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Caruana,F0-1
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 • 2014★ Notable