English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d6, h6 (A29)

The King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d6, h6 is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A29. The line runs 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. d3 d6 6. Bg2 h6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after six 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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English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d6, h6 — position after h6 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. d3 d6 6. Bg2 h6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4e5
2Nc3Nf6
3Nf3Nc6
4g3Bc5
5d3d6
6Bg2h6

ECO: A29

Stockfish: +0.31 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d6, h6?

The King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d6, h6 goes 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. d3 d6 6. Bg2 h6. 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, with .. d6, h6?

The King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d6, h6 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, with .. d6, h6 good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. d3 d6 6. Bg2 h6 at +0.31 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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, with .. d6, h6 lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move.