8. Counter the English Opening
One of the most popular 1st moves you’re likely to face with Black is 1.c4, also known as The English Opening.
It’s a solid opening where the structure often remains flexible and closed.
Many amateurs struggle to play against such openings because often it’s easy to make a reckless move that can create long-term problems.
So how should you play against 1.c4?
This course will give you a practical repertoire starting with 1...c5!
Below are some of the diagrams from this course:
Once you finish the course, you'll feel very comfortable playing against 1.c4.
Let's start the journey!
What you'll learn
- A step-by-step guide on how to play the Symmetrical English with 1...c5!
- The strategy for both sides in this opening.
- A rare but perhaps the strongest continuation against one of White’s solid setup — Botvinnik System.
Lesson Plan
78 episode(s) 3 hours 58 minStudents give this course an average of 5 out of 5 stars.
WIM_Siranush Ghukasyan
skipper chess
Captain Hook
Artyom Manukyan
Shahinur Haque
Varun Kumar
Ritvik Caringula
Christian Eriksson
Ruben Molina
Vishnu Warrier
GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes
Hovhannes Gabuzyan became a U-16 Olympic Champion in 2010. Two years later, at 17, he achieved the Grandmaster title.
He was the World University Chess Champion in 2016, the Armenian Champion in 2017 and 2021, and has represented his country at the prestigious Chess Olympiad.
He believes time is a person’s most valuable resource. This philosophy reflects in his swift play on the chessboard and his training methods that focus on squeezing the most out of one’s time.
Hovhannes Gabuzyan became a U-16 Olympic Champion in 2010. Two years later, at 17, he achieved the Grandmaster title.
He was the World University Chess Champion in 2016, the Armenian Champion in 2017 and 2021, and has represented his country at the prestigious Chess Olympiad.
He believes time is a person’s most valuable resource. This philosophy reflects in his swift play on the chessboard and his training methods that focus on squeezing the most out of one’s time.
The English opening begins after 1.c4 and is one of the main openings in chess. Black has a variety of options to play against it.
We recommend playing the Symmetrical English Opening with 1...c5. This move is played by top players like GM Fabiano Caruana, GM Maxime Vachier Lagrave and former World Champion GM Vladimir Kramnik.
History of the English Opening
The first game in the English Opening was played between Gunnar Isaacson - Lloyd Bishop in Gainesville, 1816. White won the game.
Later, Howard Staunton employed this opening against Pierre De Saint Amant, in their match in Paris 1843. It was here that the first game in the Symmetrical English Opening was also played, with Staunton emerging victorious.
Because Staunton was English, it’s believed that the opening was named after him.
Today you’ll see almost every other top Grandmaster using the English opening in regular practice.
How to play against 1.c4 with the Symmetrical English Opening?
In the Symmetrical English Opening, Black prepares to fianchetto their Bishop with 2...g6. Play often continues as 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6.
Black now wants to build up a strong central control with ...e5. They will also look to push their f-pawn and create a play on the Kingside, depending on what course of action White chooses.
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