English Opening
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 · A10–A39
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 12
The Reversed Sicilian
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The idea
White opens with the c-pawn and fights for d5 from the flank — a flexible, positional opening that can become almost anything.
Main line: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6
What White wants
- Control d5 with c4, Nc3 and the fianchettoed bishop
- Choose between a slow squeeze and a quick d4 break
- Play on the queenside with b4 and the rooks on the open files
What Black wants
- Take the centre with ...d5 or ...e5 and develop freely
- Use the symmetrical structure and trade into equality
- Play on the kingside if White commits to the queenside
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
The Reversed Sicilian
After 1.c4 e5 the position is a Sicilian Defence with the colours reversed and an extra tempo for White. That single extra move is why the English is a serious attempt at an advantage rather than just a transposition tool.
Common mistake
Playing d4 too early without preparing it. Black equalises instantly with ...d5 or ...exd4, and White ends up in a Queen's Gambit structure with the c-pawn already spent and no advantage.
Mistake example: Nxd5.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r1bqkb1r/ppp2ppp/1nn5/4p3/8/2N2NP1/PP1PPPBP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 2 7
Analyze this positionVariations
7 lines branching from here.