The English Attack is a variation of the Sicilian, Najdorf Variation, catalogued as ECO B90. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. h3, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves.
On the Sicilian, Najdorf Variation generally: The most popular and deeply analyzed Sicilian variation. 5...a6 prepares ...e5 and gives Black enormous flexibility. Bobby Fischer's weapon of choice.
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The English Attack goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. h3. It is a variation of the Sicilian, Najdorf Variation and is catalogued as ECO B90.
The English Attack is ECO B90. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian, Najdorf Variation.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. h3 at +0.49 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move.