FENrnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/2P5/P7/1P1PPPPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq -
English Opening: King's English Variation: what to play after c4?
Best move
Nf6-0.18
By playing Nf6, you are prioritizing rapid development and central control. This f6 immediately eyes the e4 and d5 squares, preparing to challenge White's setup before they can…
- Games played
- 532K
- To move
- Black
- Evaluation
- -0.18
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why Nf6 is the best move
Nf6! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 2 top moves — you found a winning strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing Nf6, you are prioritizing rapid development and central control. This f6 immediately eyes the e4 and d5 squares, preparing to challenge White's setup before they can capitalize on their extra space.
Multiple Valid Strategies
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | -0.18 | Classical: Develops a piece and prepares for a central strike with d5. |
| g6 | -0.10 | Hypermodern: Prepares to fianchetto the f8 to pressure the long diagonal. |
Different paths, same destination: While Nf6 is a direct, principled approach to the opening, g6 is a more flexible, positional alternative. Both moves are objectively equal, but they lead to very different types of games—one focused on piece activity and the other on long-term structural pressure.
Your Continuation
After Nf6:
Nc3 c6 e4 d5 cxd5
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That White's slow move a3 gave you the tempo needed to develop naturally. While only 18% of humans prioritize this move, it is the most efficient way to punish White's slightly passive play by preparing the d5 break.
📚 Takeaway: In positions with multiple good moves, trust your style—whether you prefer the direct pressure of Nf6 or the patient setup of g6, both are master-level choices!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 532K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6Engine pick | -0.18 | 328K | 51% | |
| d6 | +0.03 | 81K | 53% | |
| d5 | +0.03 | 81K | 54% | |
| c6 | +0.03 | 31K | 51% | |
| g6 | -0.10 | 11K | 49% |
The line
More positions in the English Opening
- Best moveNf6Knight g8 → f6English Opening: King's English Variation, Reversed Sicilian29M games
- Best moveNc3Knight b1 → c3English Opening: Agincourt Defense21M games
- Best movecxd5Pawn c4 → d5English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense16M games
- Best moveg3Pawn g2 → g3English Opening: King's English Variation4.43M games
- Best moveBg2Bishop f1 → g2English Opening: King's English Variation3.48M games
- Best moved4Pawn d2 → d4English Opening: King's English Variation, Botvinnik System, Prickly Pawn Pass System999K games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for Black in the English Opening: King's English Variation?
Nf6 (-0.18). By playing Nf6, you are prioritizing rapid development and central control. This f6 immediately eyes the e4 and d5 squares, preparing to challenge White's setup before they can…
Why is Nf6 the best move here?
By playing Nf6, you are prioritizing rapid development and central control. This f6 immediately eyes the e4 and d5 squares, preparing to challenge White's setup before they can capitalize on their extra space.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 532K times in the opening book.