English Opening · A21
King's English Variation, Reversed Sicilian
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3
c4 fights for d5 without committing the centre pawns: White often fianchettoes and plays a reversed Sicilian with an extra tempo.
The first 3 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.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 175 in the English Opening. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.