English OpeningA29

King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Occupy the center, develop quickly, castle, then pick a wing.

Black's plan

Contest the center before White occupies all of it.

The line, move by move

1. c4c4 controls d5.
... e5e5 occupies the center.
2. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
3. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... Nc6Nc6 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
4. g3g3 repositions the pawn.

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Other major variations

The complete English Opening guide See all 174 variations in the branch map

King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line (A29) · English Opening · OpeningMate