Chess Opening Theory/1. c4/1...e5

English Opening
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
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/2P5/8/PP1PPPPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. c4 e5

English Opening

1...e5

This move creates a reverse Sicilian but it's White's move and the aim for White to create an advantage leads generally to different positions. White's choices are now:

• 2. Nc3, the normal move
• 2. g3 many transposition possibilities
• 2. Nf3 can lead to a reversed Alekhine's Defence of sorts if Black replies with ...e4, with the option of cxd5 if Black tries to advance the d-pawn
• 2. d4 gives away any advantage

Theory Table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.c4 e5

	2	3	4	5
	Nc3 Nc6	g3 g6	Bg2 Bg7	d3 d6
King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack	Nc3 Bb4	Nd5 Bc5	Nf3 c6	Nc3 d6
	g3 Nf6	Nc3 Bb4
Drill Variation	... h5				+=
	d4				∞

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• Taming Wild Chess Openings: How to Deal with the Good, the Bad and the Ugly over the Chess Board (2015). John Watson. ISBN 9056915703.