English Opening · A28

King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, after 4. d4

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Ne5

c4 fights for d5 without committing the centre pawns: White often fianchettoes and plays a reversed Sicilian with an extra tempo. White has doubled pawns on the c-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... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the King's English Variation.
• 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Reversed Sicilian.
• 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Two Knights Variation.

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