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1.Opening

English Opening

You play WhiteA22FlexibleIntermediate

Control d5 from the side. Against 1...e5 it's a Sicilian with colors reversed — and White has an extra move.

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nb6 …

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Reversed Dragon: position after 9 moves8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
Reversed Dragon: position after 9 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. c4 + Nc3 + g3/Bg2 dominates the light squares, especially d5.
  2. The g2 bishop is a monster on the long diagonal.
  3. Typical plan: a3 and b4, expanding on the queenside.
3.Main line

Main line · 17 moves

Reversed Dragon

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
c4The English: controls d5 from the side and keeps everything flexible.
e5Black takes central space. It's a Sicilian with colors reversed.
2
Nc3Controls d5 and e4.
Nf6Develops.
3
g3Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will hit d5 and b7.
d5Black grabs the center.
After 3…d5
After 3…d5
No. White Black4
cxd5Trades the flank pawn for a center pawn.
Nxd5Black recaptures with the knight.
5
Bg2The bishop attacks the d5 knight down the long diagonal.
Nb6The knight retreats out of the bishop's line of fire.
6
Nf3Develops and attacks e5.
Nc6Defends e5.
After 6…Nc6
After 6…Nc6
No. White Black7
O-OCastles.
Be7Prepares to castle.
8
d3Controls e4 and opens the c1 bishop.
O-OBlack castles.
9
a3Prepares b4 to expand on the queenside, the usual English plan.
After 9.a3
After 9.a3
4.Play

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5.More

More flank openings