English Opening · A17

Anglo-Indian Defense, after 2. Nc3

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. Nf3 c5 5. e3 e6

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the d-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the English Opening.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Anglo-Indian Defense.
• 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Anglo-Grünfeld Defense.

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