Queen's pawn - English defence

The English Defence arises after 1.d4 b6. ECO code: A40.

Overview

With 1...b6, Black prepares a queenside fianchetto, developing the bishop to b7 to exert pressure on the a8–h1 diagonal. The move is named after its popularity among English players.

Strategic Themes & Plans

Black aims for a hypermodern strategy—controlling the centre with pieces rather than pawns, with the bishop on b7 as the centrepiece of the plan. White should occupy the centre with e4 and aim to demonstrate that Black's delay in central pawn play allows a significant spatial advantage. The opening can transpose into various systems depending on subsequent play.