English Opening: Reversed Sicilian Taimanov
English Opening
Definition
The English Opening is the chess opening that begins with the move 1.c4. With this flank pawn advance White immediately exerts influence over the central d5-square without committing a central pawn, creating a flexible position that can transpose into a wide variety of systems—including the Queen’s Gambit, Catalan, Réti, and, most famously, a “Reversed Sicilian.” The opening is named after the English master Howard Staunton, who popularized it in the 1840s–1850s.
Typical Usage
- To avoid the heaviest lines of 1.e4 or 1.d4 theory while still fighting for the center.
- To choose systems based on a desired pawn structure rather than a fixed move order—e.g., the Botvinnik System (1.c4 followed by g3, Bg2, e4) or the Symmetrical English (…c5).
- To steer the game into a Reversed Sicilian when Black replies 1…e5.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Historically, the English Opening rose to top-level prominence in the mid-20th century after Mikhail Botvinnik began using it as his primary White weapon. Its strategic hallmarks include:
- Queenside space: The c-pawn advance can be followed by b2-b4 or a2-a3–b4 to seize queenside territory.
- Central flexibility: White can keep the central pawns in reserve, delaying the choice between d2-d4 or e2-e4.
- Robust transpositional value: Many players employ 1.c4 to sidestep opponents’ home preparation in mainline 1.e4 or 1.d4 openings.
Illustrative Example
A classic symmetrical set-up:
Interesting Facts
- Garry Kasparov used the English to defeat Anatoly Karpov in a critical must-win game (World Championship, Lyon 1990, Game 18).
- Many modern engines consider 1.c4 every bit as sound as 1.e4 or 1.d4, and it is now routine in elite play.
Reversed Sicilian
Definition
“Reversed Sicilian” is an umbrella term for positions that arise after 1.c4 e5 (or a near-equivalent move order) in which White—thanks to playing first—obtains Sicilian-style pawn structures with an extra tempo. In essence, White is playing the Sicilian Defense, but with colors reversed.
How the Idea Works
If Black replies to the English with 1…e5, the game can proceed:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 (or 3…Bb4, 3…Nc6, etc.)
Compare this to a normal Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6. The pawn structures and piece placements mirror each other, yet White (having moved first) effectively enjoys a free move that can be converted into pressure on the dark squares or accelerated development.
Strategic Themes
- Tempo Advantage: White can often seize the initiative before Black completes development.
- Central Counterplay: Black frequently strikes with …d5, echoing typical Sicilian breaks such as …d5 in the Taimanov or Sveshnikov.
- Hedgehog & Maroczy Structures: A reversed Hedgehog, with White’s pawns on a3, b2, d3, e4, often arises, giving both sides dynamic chances.
Model Game
World Rapid 2015, Carlsen vs. Grischuk featured the line 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 d5, with Carlsen squeezing a positional edge from his extra tempo.
Interesting Tidbits
- The great Sicilian expert Mikhail Tal sometimes employed 1.c4 to “play the Sicilian as White.”
- Engines rate many reversed Sicilian positions as +0.30 – +0.50 for White—small but tangible.
Taimanov Variation (in the Reversed Sicilian / English)
Definition
The Taimanov Variation in the Reversed Sicilian is a specific line beginning:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5
This is the mirror image of the classical Sicilian Taimanov (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6) named after Soviet GM and concert pianist Mark Taimanov. With colors reversed, White retains the extra tempo and aims for rapid kingside fianchetto and central pressure.
Key Ideas for Both Sides
- White: Exploit the extra tempo to target Black’s d5-knight via moves like Bg2, O-O, d4, and sometimes Qb3 or d3 followed by e4.
- Black: Neutralize White’s initiative by exchanging a pair of knights on c3, castling quickly, and counter-punching with …Be6, …Qd7, or a timely …f5 break.
- Many endgames that are equal in the normal Sicilian are unpleasant for Black here because White’s extra tempo translates into quicker piece activity.
Theoretical Status
Because theory from the Sicilian Taimanov can often be “inverted,” the line has proven highly resilient. Modern engines show roughly +0.30 for White—healthy but far from decisive. The variation therefore remains a fighting choice for Black players seeking Sicilian-type play while eschewing the mainline King’s English.
Illustrative Line
Historical & Anecdotal Notes
- Mark Taimanov himself played the reversed version late in his career, joking that the tempo “compensated for my age.”
- In Kasparov vs. Short, Linares 1993, Kasparov adopted the line to avoid Nigel Short’s home-prepped Najdorf defenses.
- The variation often features symmetrical pawn islands, making rook activity on the c- and d-files paramount.