English Opening: Reversed Sicilian Taimanov Botvinnik
English Opening
Definition
The English Opening is a flank opening that begins with the move 1. c4. By immediately contesting the d5–square from the side rather than occupying the center directly, White seeks to build a flexible pawn structure, often transposing into a variety of setups such as the Queen’s Gambit, Réti, King’s Indian Attack, or even certain Sicilian lines played with colors reversed.
Typical Plans & Usage
- Control of the light-squared diagonal a2–g8 with the fianchettoed bishop on g2.
- Pushing the d-pawn to d4 under favorable circumstances to seize central space.
- Maintaining a slow, maneuvering struggle that can later explode tactically once pawn breaks (…d5 or …b5 for Black; d4 or b4 for White) occur.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Named after 19th-century English master Howard Staunton, the opening gained mainstream acceptance in the 20th century thanks to players like Mikhail Botvinnik and Anatoly Karpov, who valued its strategic richness. Garry Kasparov deployed it frequently in World Championship matches to avoid heavily analyzed main lines of 1. e4 and 1. d4.
Example Game
Kasparov–Karpov, Linares 1993 reached a powerful kingside attack after:
Interesting Facts
- In modern databases, the English is the third-most-played first move for White after 1. e4 and 1. d4.
- Thanks to its transpositional nature, learning the English is often portrayed as learning three openings at once: ideas from the Réti, Queen’s Gambit, and Sicilian Defense (but with colors reversed).
Reversed Sicilian
Definition
The term “Reversed Sicilian” describes positions arising from the English Opening where White (having an extra tempo) adopts the same pawn structures and piece setups that Black aims for in the Sicilian Defense. The classic starting position is:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5
—identical to an Open Sicilian with colors reversed and an extra move for White.
How It Is Used
- As a weapon against …e5 setups. After 1. c4 e5, White can play for Maroczy-Bind style pressure with 2. Nc3 and 3. g3.
- Tempo exploitation. The extra move allows White to aim for quicker kingside expansion (f4, Nf3–g5) or central breaks (d4) without the usual Sicilian risk.
- Transpositions back to mainstream Sicilian theory. Experienced Sicilian players will feel “at home,” but the shoe is on the other foot.
Strategic Significance
The Reversed Sicilian is beloved by players who normally defend the Sicilian as Black, because they can press with the same plans—open the c-file, target the d-pawn, and launch a minority attack on the queenside—all while enjoying White’s first-move advantage.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Trivia
- The earliest known Reversed Sicilian instance was played by Wilhelm Steinitz in the 1880s—decades before the “Sicilian Defense” itself became fashionable at top level.
- Magnus Carlsen used a Reversed Dragon setup to defeat Viswanathan Anand in the 2014 World Championship (Game 6), showcasing modern relevance.
Taimanov (Taimanov Variation)
Definition
“Taimanov” most commonly refers to the Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian Defense:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6
Named after Soviet Grandmaster Mark Taimanov, the line emphasizes flexibility—Black delays committing the kingside knight to f6 and keeps multiple pawn breaks (…d5 or …e5) in reserve.
Other Openings Bearing His Name
- Nimzo-Indian Defense, Taimanov (with 4…Nc6 against the Rubinstein).
- Modern Benoni, Taimanov Attack (with early h4 for White).
Strategic Themes
- Pawn-structure fluidity: Black can choose between Scheveningen and Hedgehog setups.
- Development speed: White’s main try (5. Nc3) prompts 5…Qc7, allowing Black to castle queenside in some lines.
- Counterpunch: Timely …Bb4 pins or …Nf6 resource challenge White’s center.
Key Historical Games
Kasparov–Short, Candidates 1993 featured the sharp English Attack plan with Be3, f3, and g4 vs the Sicilian Taimanov.
Interesting Facts
- Mark Taimanov was also a world-class concert pianist. After losing 0–6 to Bobby Fischer in 1971, he famously remarked, “I had the privilege to be the first victim on his road to the crown.”
- In engine matches, the Taimanov scores better than the Najdorf for Black in rapid time controls due to its solidity.
Botvinnik Variation
Definition
The Botvinnik Variation most famously belongs to the Semi-Slav Defense and arises after:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4
With 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5, a razor-sharp labyrinth of tactics ensues. Mikhail Botvinnik, 6th World Champion, introduced and analyzed the line exhaustively, making it one of the most theoretically demanding variations in chess.
Strategic & Practical Essence
- Concrete calculation over long-term plans.
- Mutual king exposure. Both sides often castle opposite wings or keep kings in the center amid tactical fireworks.
- The “forced-draw myth.” For years theory oscillated between “winning for White” and “equal with best play”; modern engines still uncover novelties.
Botvinnik Variation in Other Openings
Because Botvinnik championed the English Opening, the term occasionally appears in the Botvinnik System of the English: 1. c4 c5 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. e3 e5 6. Nge2. Though less violent than the Semi-Slav version, it likewise features restrained pawn moves followed by central breaks.
Famous Battles
- Kramnik vs Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 – a modern theoretical duel ending in perpetual check.
- Adams vs Anand, Dortmund 2006 – Anand uncorked the improvement 17…Qc7!, revitalizing Black’s chances.
Anecdotes
Botvinnik once challenged his students to calculate 40-move variations in the Botvinnik Semi-Slav “without moving the pieces,” believing it the ultimate training drill for visualization.