This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense
Moves: 1. c4 Nf6
This opening begins with White playing 1.c4, aiming to control the center indirectly and prepare for flexible development. Black responds with 1...Nf6, a characteristic move of the Anglo-Indian Defense that develops a knight to a strong, active square and prepares to challenge White's control of the center.
Characteristic: Black's 1...Nf6 is a flexible and hypermodern approach, focusing on controlling the center with pieces rather than occupying it immediately with pawns. It often leads to complex positional play where Black waits to strike at the center at the right moment.
Attacking or Defensive: From White's perspective, this opening tends to be more positional and flexible, allowing for both attacking chances and solid development. Black's move 1...Nf6 is generally considered a solid, somewhat defensive move that prepares counterplay rather than immediate attacks.
Center Control: The English Opening and the Anglo-Indian Defense emphasize control of the center squares from a distance rather than direct occupation. White aims to influence the center with the c4 pawn and pieces, while Black uses piece pressure and waits for the right moment to challenge the center.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 160 - Move #5 white
You can also discover how top players used English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.