English Opening · A25

King's English Variation, Reversed Closed Sicilian, after 2. g3, through 5. Nd5

1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nd5

White's kingside 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. 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. g3 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g2.
• 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.

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