ECO A20 · for Black
English Opening: King's English Variation
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
11,337,897 games in this band reached the King's English Variation position. From there Black won 45% and drew 4%.
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Nc6
Moves 1 to 2
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6
1. c4
Advancing the c-pawn, aiming to develop the queenside knight with a very flexible position.
1... e5
Advancing the e-pawn to control the center, prevent white from playing d4 and allow the dark squared bishop to develop.
2. Nc3
Developing the knight and exerting control over the central light squares.
- 2. g3: Preparing to place the bishop on the long diagonal where it can pressure the center and black's queenside.
2... Nf6
Developing the knight in order to control the key central squares of e4 and d5.
- 2... Nc6: Developing the knight while protecting the e5 pawn and preventing any plans white has of breaking with d4 in the near future.
- 2... Bc5: Developing the bishop and exerting control of the d4 square.
Moves 3 to 4
3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5
3. g3
Developing the light squared bishop and helping control the center.
- 3. Nf3: Developing the knight while attacking the e5 pawn. Forcing black to either protect or advance the pawn.
- 3. e3: Preparing the d4 break to expand in the center.
3... d5
Breaking in the center and opening up the position.
- 3... Bc5: Developing the bishop and preparing to castle kingside.
- 3... Bb4: Developing the bishop and threatening to double White's pawns. Black is also preparing to castle kingside.
- 3... Nc6: Developing the knight and fighting for control of the center.
- 3... c6: Aiming to push d5 next and establish a space advantage in the center.
4. cxd5
Capturing on d5 and preparing to play Bg2 next to hit Black's knight.
4... Nxd5
Capturing the pawn and centralizing the knight. After White plays Bg2, attacking the knight, Black will play Nb6.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Bg2 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Nc6
5. Bg2
Fianchettoing the light-squared bishop and attacking Black's knight on d5.
5... Nxc3
Exchanging on c3 in order to avoid the threat on d5. White will have a strong center.
6. bxc3
Recapturing on c3 and intending to form a strong center with d4.
6... Nc6
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles kingside
- The dark-squared bishop can develop to c5 or d6
- The queenside rook generally develops to b8
- The kingside rook usually develops to e8
- The bishop on c5 often moves to b6
- A common pawn move is h6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black