English Opening · A17

Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Variation

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bd3

Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal. c4 fights for d5 without committing the centre pawns: White often fianchettoes and plays a reversed Sicilian with an extra tempo.

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... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Agincourt Defense.
• 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Hedgehog System.

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