Flank openings

English Opening

1.c4

The English Opening starts with 1.c4 and is catalogued under ECO A10, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 175 lines inside it, grouped into 127 named variations.

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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.c4

    Controls d5 from the flank without occupying the center immediately.

    Idea: Pressure the center from the side and keep the pawn structure flexible.

  2. 1…c5

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  3. 2.b4

    Advances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under English Opening. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

103 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the English Opening.