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, King's Indian Formation
Moves: 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6
This opening begins with White developing the knight to f3 and controlling the center from a distance with the c4 pawn. Black responds by fianchettoing the kingside bishop with ...g6, adopting a King's Indian Defense setup.
Characteristic: Black's move ...g6 signals a flexible and hypermodern approach, aiming to control the central squares from the flanks rather than occupying them immediately. This setup prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop, which will exert long-range pressure on the center and queenside.
Attacking or Defensive: For White, this opening is generally considered flexible and can lead to both attacking and positional play, depending on how White continues. Black’s setup is primarily defensive at first, focusing on solid development and counterattacking chances later in the game.
Center Control: While White challenges the center indirectly with c4 and Nf3, Black does not immediately contest the center with pawns but instead controls it with pieces from a distance, characteristic of hypermodern openings.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, King's Indian Formation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 14 - Move #8 white
You can also discover how top players used English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, King's Indian Formation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.