A39

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking 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

Gelfand, Boris vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 1999★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Kamsky, Gata0-1
PCA-Wch Candidats m4 • 1994★ Notable
Jussupow, Artur vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
Linares • 1990★ Notable
Fischer, Robert James vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
World Championship 28th • 1972★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Amsterdam Interzonal • 1964★ Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Munoz, Cesar0-1
WchT U26 • 1957★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
GCT Finals 2025 • 2025
Radjabov,T vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
Titled Tue 9th Jan Early • 2024
Giri,A vs Duda,J1-0
Superbet Blitz 2023 • 2023
Ivanchuk,V vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Makedonia Palace GP • 2013
Kramnik,V vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
World Blitz • 2009
Karpov,Ana vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
GpB • 2006
Gelfand,B vs Carlsen,M1-0
World Blitz • 2006
Gelfand, Boris vs Polgar, Judit1/2-1/2
Dos Hermanas • 1999
Kasparov, Gary vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Kosmos m 5' • 1998
Timman, Jan H vs Khalifman, Alexander1-0
Donner mem • 1995
Khalifman, Alexander vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Elenite • 1994
Topalov, Veselin vs Leko, Peter1/2-1/2
Leon • 1993
Ehlvest, Jaan vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia91 Top16 • 1991
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
GMA-qual f • 1990

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