The English Opening with 1…e5 for Black

1.c4 e5

After 1.c4 you answer 1...e5 and play a Sicilian Defense with reversed colours – except that White has an extra tempo. That is exactly what makes the setup pleasant for you: you place your pieces clearly and actively and need not fear sharp theory. The course is for club players who want a solid but active repertoire with clear plans against the English. The main idea is the setup with Nf6, Nc6 and d5: after the exchange on d5 you retreat the knight to b6, put the bishop on e7, castle and support the pawn on e5 with Be6 and f6 – a reversed Dragon. White usually attacks on the queenside with a3, b4 and Rb1; you answer with a5 and a knight on d4. White's main roads are 2.Nc3 (in 72 % of the games) and 2.g3; after 2...Nf6 3.Nf3 3...Nc6 mostly 4.g3, 4.e3, 4.d4, 4.d3, 4.a3 and 4.e4 follow. Against 4.e3 and 4.e4 you play Bb4, against 4.d4 you capture and pin with Bb4, against 4.a3 you choose the kingside fianchetto with g6.

In the reversed Dragon you hold the pawn on e5 with Be6 and f6 – your centre is safe and White's bishop on g2 bites on granite.
Against the advance b4-b5 you play a5: after b5 the square d4 becomes free for your knight Nd4, which stands very well there.
If White exchanges on d4, you recapture with the pawn exd4: the pawn on d4 cramps White, and with Bd5 you often trade the strong bishop on g2.
Against quiet setups with e3 you pin with Bb4 and threaten e4 to drive away the knight on f3 and gain space.
The queen often belongs on c8 or d7: from there she supports moves like Nf5 and doubling the rooks on the d-file with Rd8.