ECO A10 · English Opening

English Opening

1. c4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

1… e5+0.17

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening (A10), reached after 1. c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.17).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.171… e5 2. g3 d5 3. cxd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qd7 6. Bg2
  2. +0.221… e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2
  3. +0.341… c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3

All English Opening variations (126)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening?
After 1. c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black, continuing 2. g3 d5 3. cxd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qd7 6. Bg2. The position is roughly equal (+0.17). The next best moves are 1… e6 (+0.22) and 1… c5 (+0.34).
Is the English Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.17: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the English Opening?
A10. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).