English Opening · A31

Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation

1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 c5 3. Nf3

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... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Anglo-Indian Defense.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... c5 Challenges the pawn on d4 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Benoni Defense.

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