Flank openings
King's English
1.c4 e5ECO A20–A29
Black answers the English with …e5, effectively playing a Sicilian a tempo up. A rich, strategic battleground where White fianchettoes and manoeuvres, and both sides fight for the d4/d5 breaks.
Key ideas
- …e5 grabs central space; White treats it like a reversed Sicilian with g3 and Bg2.
- Play revolves around the d4 and …d5 breaks and control of the long light diagonal.
- It's a manoeuvring, understanding-based opening — plans and structures matter more than forcing lines.
Who it suits
Strategic players comfortable in flexible, manoeuvring positions on both sides of the English.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the King's English move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer