English Defense
What is the English Defense?
The English Defense is a chess opening that begins with 1. d4 b6. It is classified under ECO A40 and has 7 named variations. Black chooses it with the move b6.
Moves: 1. d4 b6
ECO: A40
Chosen by: Black
Main variations
1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6
1. d4 b6 2. c4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e5
1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6
1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5
1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. exf5 Nf6
1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6
All 7 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| A40 | Main line | 1. d4 b6 |
| A40 | Main line | 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 |
| A40 | Eastbourne Gambit | 1. d4 b6 2. c4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e5 |
| A40 | Perrin Variation | 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6 |
| A40 | Hartlaub Gambit Declined | 1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5 |
| A40 | Hartlaub Gambit Accepted | 1. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. exf5 Nf6 |
| A40 | Poli Gambit | 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures