The Closed, Taimanov Variation is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A25. The line runs 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Rb1 Nh6 5. Bg2 Bg7, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves.
On the English Opening generally: A flexible opening where White controls the center with c4. Can transpose into many different systems.
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The Closed, Taimanov Variation goes 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Rb1 Nh6 5. Bg2 Bg7. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A25.
The Closed, Taimanov Variation is ECO A25. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Rb1 Nh6 5. Bg2 Bg7 at +0.62 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.