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, Queen's Knight Variation
Moves: 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3
This variation arises when White responds to Black's flexible knight development with 2. Nc3, supporting the central d5 square and preparing to control the center indirectly. The characteristic of this move is that White develops the queen’s knight early, aiming for quick piece activity and maintaining tension in the center without committing to an immediate pawn thrust.
From White’s perspective, this line is generally positional and flexible, allowing gradual buildup rather than immediate attacking play. Black’s move 1...Nf6 is a standard developing move, aiming for a solid and somewhat hypermodern setup, where Black challenges White’s center from a distance.
This opening does not involve a direct attack on the center by White’s pawns in the first two moves, but it focuses on indirect central control through piece placement. White aims to influence the central squares c5, d5, and e4, often leading to a fight for central dominance in the coming moves.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 100 - Move #5 white
You can also discover how top players used English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Queen's Knight Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.