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How to Play the English Chess Opening

The English chess opening is highly popular at all levels, from beginner to grandmaster. Named after the English player, Howard Staunton, it was incorporated in the mid-1800s but didn’t gain widespread popularity in competition chess until the 1970s. White begins the game with 1. c4, a sneaky way to control the center via the d5 square. Mikhail Botvinnik, who was world chess champion after Alekhine, is famed for favoring the English opening.

Things You'll Need

Chessboard or PC software chess

Instructions

- 1
  Play 1. c4 (left bishop's pawn out two squares). This move controls the important d5 square.
- 2
  Play knight to c3 after black plays pawn to e5, the most common response to 1.c4. The idea is to pile pieces on the center squares so black finds it difficult to play d5, attacking white's center.
- 3
  Play pawn to g3 almost no matter what black does here, but the most common move is Nc6. Playing g3 prepares a hole for the bishop so it can support the c pawn and the d5 square via the long diagonal of white squares.
- 4
  Play bishop to g2 when black plays d6 to open up a path for his own bishop. This is a normal developing move for both sides.
- 5
  Play d3 when black develops his bishop to the e6 square, effectively developing a piece and attacking white's pawn as well. Playing d3 supports the c pawn.
- 6
  Play knight to f3 once black develops his bishop to e7. This develops another piece to control the center, and prepares castling.
- 7
  Castle when black develops his knight to f6. This move improves king safety and gets a rook nearer to the center of the board, where the fight will surely end up later in the game.

Chess & Checkers