Flank openings
English, Four Knights Variation
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3ECO A28–A29
A reversed Sicilian played a tempo up: White treats 1.c4 e5 as a Sicilian with colours reversed, developing all four knights and fianchettoing. Sound and flexible, it gives White the extra move's worth of initiative in familiar Sicilian-type structures.
Key ideas
- The g3/Bg2 fianchetto eyes the long diagonal and Black's queenside; d3 (or d4) supports the centre.
- It often transposes to reversed Sicilian structures where White's extra tempo is a small but lasting plus.
- Positional and low-risk — a favourite of players who like understanding over memorisation.
Who it suits
Positional players who want a sound, flexible 1.c4 system with reversed-Sicilian ideas.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the English, Four Knights Variation move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer