A40

English Defense

7 named lines in this family, ECO A40. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

Main line, after 1... b6A40

1. d4 b6

In the centre, White holds d4.

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... b6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via b7. Theory calls this the English Defense.

Main line, after 1... e6A40

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6

• 1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Horwitz Defense.
• 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.

Eastbourne GambitA40

1. d4 b6 2. c4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e5

The pawns on d4 and e5 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.

• 2... Bb7 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d5 and e4 from a distance.

Perrin VariationA40

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6

Hartlaub Gambit DeclinedA40

1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5

• 1. c4 Theory calls this the English Opening.
• 1... e6 Theory calls this the Agincourt Defense.

Hartlaub Gambit AcceptedA40

1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. exf5 Nf6

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as White's avenue and the f-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.

Poli GambitA40

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6

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