English Opening · A28

King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Quiet Line, after 4... Bb4, through 7. Qf5

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 O-O 6. Nd5 Re8 7. Qf5

c4 fights for d5 without committing the centre pawns: White often fianchettoes and plays a reversed Sicilian with an extra tempo. White's pawn on d2 is pinned against the king.

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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