English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line (A29)

The King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A29. The line runs 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. O-O O-O, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

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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English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line — position after O-O h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. O-O O-O

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4e5
2g3Nf6
3Bg2d5
4cxd5Nxd5
5Nf3Nc6
6d3Be7
7O-OO-O

ECO: A29

Stockfish: -0.05 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related English Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line?

The King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line goes 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. O-O O-O. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A29.

What is the ECO code for the King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line?

The King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line is ECO A29. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.

Is the King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. O-O O-O at -0.05 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.

What kind of position does the King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.