English opening facts for kids

The English Opening, often just called the English, is a special way to start a chess game. It's used by the player with the white pieces. This opening has become very popular, now being the third most common first move, right after 1.e4 and 1.d4. An English chess master named Howard Staunton created this opening. He even used it in a famous match against another player named Saint-Amant.

Variation 1

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

How White Starts the Game

The English Opening usually begins with White moving their pawn to c4 (1. c4). This move is a bit different from the most common first moves. Sometimes, after 1.c4, the game might change into a different type of opening, like a Queen's Pawn opening. For example, if White plays 1.c4, and Black plays Nf6, and then White plays 2.d4, it's no longer considered a true English Opening.

The English Opening System

The English Opening is more like a flexible plan or "system" of moves. It doesn't always follow the exact same steps, but it often includes some or all of these ideas:

• Moving the Knight from b1 to c3 (QN to c3).
• Moving the Bishop from f1 to g2. This is called fianchettoing the Bishop. It means placing the Bishop on a long diagonal where it can control many squares.
• Moving the Knight from g1 to f3 or e2 (KN to f3 or e2).
• Castling kingside (0-0) to make the king safe.
• Moving the Queen's pawn to d3 (QP to d3).
• Moving a Rook to b1, and then pushing the b-pawn forward (b2-b4-b5) to attack on the queenside.

Variation 2

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Different Ways to Play the English Opening

There are many ways the English Opening can unfold, depending on how both White and Black play. Here are a few common examples:

Variation 1: A Strategic Battle

One common way the game can go is:

• 1.c4 Nf6
• 2.Nc3 g6
• 3.g3 Bg7
• 4.Bg2 0-0
• 5.d3 d6
• 6.Nf3 e5
• 7.0-0 Nc6
• 8.Rb1 a5
• 9.a3 h6
• 10.b4 axb4
• 11.axb4 Be6
• 12.b5

In this sequence, you can see White using the full system. White tries to control the center of the board and attack on the queenside (the left side of the board from White's view). Black, on the other hand, often focuses more on the kingside (the right side of the board).

Variation 3

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Variation 2: Like a Sicilian Defense, but Reversed

Another way to play is:

• 1.c4 e5
• 2.g3 Nf6
• 3.Bg2 d5
• 4.cxd5 Nxd5
• 5.Nf3 Nc6
• 6.d3

This line of play often feels similar to a Sicilian defence, but with the colors reversed. It means White is playing moves that Black would normally play in a Sicilian Defense, and vice versa.

Variation 3: An Early Fight in the Center

A third option is:

• 1.c4 Nf6
• 2.Nc3 e6
• 3.e4 d5
• 4.cxd5 exd5
• 5.e5

Here, after White plays 5.e5, Black has a few common responses like 5...d4, 5...Ne4, or 5...Nfd7. This particular line leads to an early "clash" or fight for control in the center of the board. White doesn't have to play 3.e4, so they can choose to avoid this sharp and direct line if they prefer.

Each of these ways to play the English Opening has its own unique feel. Chess players often need to study and learn these different lines to play the opening well.

See also

In Spanish: Apertura inglesa para niños