English Opening · A34

Symmetrical Variation, Fianchetto Variation

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3

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. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4.
• 2... c5 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.

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