Chess opening · ECO A21

English Opening: King's English Variation, Reversed Sicilian

The English Opening: King's English Variation, Reversed Sicilian starts 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3. It ranks #75 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. c4White pushes the c-pawn two squares to c4.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is Nc6; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Nf6.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Nc6 25%Nf6 25%Bc5 12%
1200–1399Nf6 31%Bc5 13%Nc6 13%
1400–1599Nf6 36%Bc5 14%Nc6 11%
1600–1799Nf6 40%Bc5 11%d6 11%
1800–1999Nf6 43%Nc6 15%f5 14%
2000 and upNf6 41%Nc6 25%f5 13%

Practice it against a human-like opponent.

BeaconChess opponents open from these same books, then play human-like moves for their level while the coach explains your moves in plain English. The first coached game is free.

Play a free coached game →

Played this opening recently?

Paste the game into the free analyzer to find the moves that cost you, with each mistake explained. Three analyses are free, with no email or card.

Analyze a game free →