English Opening, King's English Variation

The King's English is defined by the initial confrontation 1.c4 e5. Black's pawn on e5 occupies a central square, controls d4, and opens the f8-bishop's diagonal. White's pawn on c4 controls d5 while leaving open whether White will occupy the center with d4 or e4.

It is also called a Reversed Sicilian because the c4- and e5-pawns resemble a Sicilian Defense with the colors exchanged. White has an extra tempo, meaning one additional move in the comparable structure. The plans are not automatic mirror images, however. That extra move can change which attack is timely and which piece arrives first.

Common ways to continue

• Nc3 and Nf3 develop the knights and increase central control.
• g3 and Bg2 place the bishop on a long diagonal; this development is called a fianchetto.
• d3 keeps the center closed, while d4 tries to open it and challenge the e5-pawn directly.

This is a very broad family. The Carls-Bremen System, Botvinnik System, and Four Knights Variation are different ways to arrange White's pieces within it.