English Opening: Reversed Sicilian, Taimanov & Hungarian
English Opening
Definition
The English Opening is the family of openings that begin with the move 1. c4. It is named after the 19-century English master Howard Staunton, who popularised the move, and is catalogued in ECO codes A10–A39.
Typical Move Orders
Because 1. c4 does not stake an immediate claim in the centre with a pawn on e4 or d4, almost any set-up from either colour is possible. Common approaches include:
- 1. c4 e5 – the Reversed Sicilian (see next section).
- 1. c4 c5 – a symmetrical structure often leading to hedgehogs or Maroczy Bind positions.
- 1. c4 Nf3 2. g3 – the Fianchetto systems aiming for solid control of the long diagonal.
- 1. c4 e6, 1…c6 or 1…Nf6 – flexible transpositions to the Queen’s Gambit, the Catalan, or Indian defences.
Strategic Ideas
The English is beloved by players who like:
- Playing “on their own terms” and steering clear of opponents’ pet main-line defences to 1. e4 or 1. d4.
- Flank pressure on the d-file squares, especially d5.
- Gradual, manoeuvring play rather than early tactical melees (although sharp lines certainly exist).
Historical & Modern Significance
Although popularised by Staunton, the English really exploded in the 1970s when it became a mainstay of World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana continue to use it as a universal weapon today.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Game 24), Moscow 1985, began 1. c4 and led to a famous exchange sacrifice by Kasparov that clinched the title.
Interesting Facts
- The opening is so flexible that an entire repertoire book, “1.c4 – Theory in 25 Systems,” was written for it rather than one single tree.
- Computer engines originally underrated 1. c4, but neural-network engines (e.g., Leela) often give it the same evaluation as 1. e4 or 1. d4.
Reversed Sicilian
Definition
The Reversed Sicilian denotes any position arising after 1. c4 e5 where White finds himself with the same pawn structure and piece placements that Black typically gets in the Sicilian Defence—only with an extra tempo. ECO codes A20–A29 cover its main lines.
How It Arises
- 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 – the “Reversed Dragon.”
- 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 – the classical Open Reversed Sicilian (White plays d4 in one go, unlike the Sicilian where Black needs …d5 later).
Strategic Themes
- White often plays for d2–d4 or b2–b4 to break in the centre or on the queenside.
- Because White has the extra tempo, Black must avoid passive play; otherwise positions can quickly resemble a poor Sicilian for Black.
- Piece activity and control of the d-file are critical, mirroring the classical Sicilian battles over the d5-square.
Famous Encounters
Carlsen – Mamedyarov, Wijk aan Zee 2018, saw Carlsen adopt a Reversed Dragon structure and out-manoeuvre his opponent in a long squeeze.
Anecdotes
When asked why he played 1. c4 e5, Bobby Fischer quipped, “I like playing the Sicilian a tempo up.” The line also served as a secret weapon for early computer programs, which thrived in the asymmetrical yet highly tactical positions that result.
Taimanov (Sicilian Defence, Taimanov Variation)
Definition
The Taimanov Variation is one of the most flexible systems of the Sicilian Defence and begins with:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6.
Named after Soviet grandmaster and concert pianist Mark Taimanov, the line is catalogued in ECO codes B46–B49.
Main Branches
- 5. Nc3
• 5…Qb6 – the Modern Taimanov, pressuring d4 and b2.
• 5…Nge7 – a hybrid leading to Scheveningen structures.
• 5…d6 – transposing into Kan-like set-ups. - 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 – the ultra-sharp English Attack set-up.
Strategic Hallmarks
- Black delays committing the kingside knight (…Nf6) and kingside pawns (…d6, …g6), allowing tremendous flexibility.
- Central tension: Black often strikes with …d5 or …b5 at the right moment.
- Because both sides postpone castling, opposite-side attacks and pawn storms are common.
Historical Significance
Taimanov debuted the system in the 1950s. It entered mainstream top-level play in the 1970s—especially after Anatoly Karpov adopted it—and remains a staple in modern repertoires (e.g., Anish Giri, Alireza Firouzja).
Illustrative Mini-Game
Kasparov – Gelfand, Linares 1993 (shortened):
Fun Facts
- Mark Taimanov once missed a concert to finish annotating a key game in his variation—he said chess took priority over Chopin that day.
- The line is engine-approved: in correspondence chess, Black scores near 50 %, remarkable for a Sicilian.
Hungarian Attack (Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon)
Definition
The Hungarian Attack is a sharp system for White against the Accelerated Dragon. The characteristic moves are:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3.
Unlike the Yugoslav Attack (used vs the regular Dragon after …d7–d6), the Hungarian Attack exploits the fact that Black has not yet played …d6, making it hard for Black to break with …d5.
Origins of the Name
The line was analysed extensively by Hungarian grandmasters Lajos Portisch and Zoltán Ribli in the 1970s, hence the moniker.
Strategic Goals
- White: Rapid queenside castling, f2–f3, g2–g4 and h-pawn pushes to launch a kingside pawn storm.
- Black: Counter in the centre with …Nf6, …d6 and eventually …d5, or look for queenside breaks with …a6 and …b5.
- Because Black omits …d6 for the moment, the typical Dragon break …d5 is harder to achieve without concessions.
Key Tactical Motifs
- Exchanges on c6 that ruin Black’s pawn structure after Nxc6 bxc6.
- Battery on the h1–a8 diagonal once White fianchettos with g3 (a common sideline).
- Classic sacrifices on h5/h6 when the Black king castles short.
Model Game
Ribli – Miles, Tilburg 1984: White uncorked the then-new idea of 9. g4! and shattered Black’s kingside.
Trivia
- Because of the direct kingside assault, many Accelerated Dragon experts avoid 6…Nf6 and instead try 6…Qa5 or 6…Nf6 7. Bc4 0-0 8. Bb3 to sidestep the hottest theory.
- The Hungarian Attack scores exceptionally well at club level; databases show White converting over 55 % of the time.