Chess Openings Lab
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English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation

The Two Knights Variation of the King's English arises after 2.Nc3 Nf6, a reversed Sicilian where Black meets c4 with e5 and a quick knight. White wants to fianchetto and press on d5, while Black aims for ...Bb4, ...O-O and space with ...e4.

Moves
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6
ECO
A22
Engine
+0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
7,090 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Nf3 and g3, then Bg2 and O-O, so the long diagonal and the c3 knight both bear down on d5.
  • Keep d3 or d4 in reserve; d4 only works once e5 is attacked enough to make ...exd4 unpleasant for Black.
  • If Black pins with ...Bb4, be ready to accept doubled c-pawns after ...Bxc3 bxc3 in return for the bishop pair.

Black

  • Develop ...Nc6 and ...Bb4, castle short, and use the pin on c3 to slow White's control of d5 and e4.
  • Push ...e4 when the f3 knight has to move, gaining space and cramping White's kingside.
  • Against quiet d3 setups, strike in the center with ...d5 and recapture on d5 with the knight.

Plans and pawn structure

This is a slow, maneuvering structure. White builds around c4, g3 and Bg2, then expands on the queenside with a3 and b4 or hits the center with d4. Black's e5 pawn gives more central room, and the plan with ...Bb4 and ...e4 can drive the f3 knight back. If Black trades on c3, White's c-pawns are doubled but the bishops grow strong. Expect long games decided by small edges in space and piece activity.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.08 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 5.Bg2 O-O
  2. +0.05 3.g3 Bb4 4.Bg2 O-O 5.e4 Bxc3
  3. −0.04 3.d3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

7,090 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.5%.

under 120053.1%
1200–159951.4%
1600–199953.3%
2000 and up51.4%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

For White: keep it flexible with Nf3 or g3 and finish development before choosing a pawn break. Don't rush d4 while e5 is well defended, and don't let ...e4 arrive with gain of time on an undeveloped kingside. If ...Bb4 comes, think about whether a3 or e4 suits the coming structure.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation?

The English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation starts 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6. Its ECO code is A22.

Is the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 7,090 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.5%. A sound, patient choice for White players who like positional pressure; it rewards knowing a few setups more than memorizing long lines.

What is the main idea of the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation?

White plays a Sicilian with an extra tempo, aiming at d5 with Nc3, g3 and Bg2. Black uses the e5 pawn for space and often pins with ...Bb4 before pushing ...e4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with g3 and d3 close behind. Nf3 develops while pressuring e5, keeping both g3 and d4 setups open.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.