Chess Opening Theory/1. c4/1...Nf6/2. Nc3

English Opening
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/8/2P5/2N5/PP1PPPPP/R1BQKBNR b
Moves: 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3

English Opening

2. Nc3

White reinforces the attack on the d5 square and keeps his options open. Black has a variety of answers here, aiming for a King's Indian setup with 2...g6 is an interesting option, 2...e6 is also possible although white can choose to disrupt black's plan of reaching a Nimzo-Indian or QID setup by playing 3. e4 leading to the very sharp and tactical variations known collectively as the Mikenas Carls variation, which black is best advised to avoid if not prepared to face them.

2...e5 is also possible leading to the English four knights and the Bremen system

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.c4 Nf6 2. Nc3
	1
1	Nc3 g6	=
2	... e6
3	... c5
4	... e5
5	... d5

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

External links

• 365Chess