English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation position after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Rb1 Nh6 5.Bg2 Bg7. White: pawn on c4, knight on c3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on d2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on d7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, knight on c6, pawn on g6, knight on h6, pawn on e5.
English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Rb1 Nh6 5.Bg2 Bg7. It is classified A25 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The English Opening starts with 1.c4, controlling d5 from the flank rather than occupying the centre with a pawn. It is one of the four most common first moves and is prized for its flexibility, transposing readily into queen's pawn openings or keeping an independent character.
This position can also be reached by another move order, including 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.e3 d6 6.Nge2 Nh6.
Strategic character
Strategic and slow-building. Common structures include the Reversed Sicilian, where White plays the Sicilian with an extra tempo, and the Symmetrical English after 1...c5. Fianchettos and long manoeuvring are typical.
Who should play it
Positional players who like flexible systems and are comfortable in structures where the plan is not decided in the first ten moves.
This line is a variation within the English Opening family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Rb1 Nh6 5.Bg2 Bg7.
Frequently asked questions
What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation?
The English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Rb1 Nh6 5.Bg2 Bg7. It is classified A25 in the ECO system. The English Opening starts with 1.c4, controlling d5 from the flank rather than occupying the centre with a pawn. It is one of the four most common first moves and is prized for its flexibility, transposing readily into queen's pawn openings or keeping an independent character.
What are the moves of the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation?
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Rb1 Nh6 5.Bg2 Bg7. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation good for beginners?
Positional players who like flexible systems and are comfortable in structures where the plan is not decided in the first ten moves.