English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line

Key ideas for both sides

White

After ...e4, Ng5 attacks e4 and prepares d3 or f3 to break it.
After ...Bxc3, recapture with the b-pawn, as in the top line, and use the c3 pawn to support d4.
Against ...d5, take and develop with Bg2 and O-O, then a3 and b4 for queenside play.
The bishop on g2 controls d5 and the long diagonal; do not trade it lightly.

Black

...Bb4, castling and ...e4 is the engine's top line, gaining kingside space.
...Re8 supports the e4 pawn after ...Bxc3 and bxc3.
...Nd4 trades the f3 knight, as in the second engine line, easing Black's game.
...d5 gives a Reversed Dragon, with the knight going to b6 after the exchange.

Plans and pawn structure

In the main line, Black's pawn on e4 cramps White, and White tries to break it with d3 or f3. Black supports it with ...Re8 and pieces. White's doubled c-pawns after bxc3 give central control but can become targets. In the Reversed Dragon, White's bishop on g2 and a queenside expansion with a3 and b4 are the main plan.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.11: level. Its three top choices for Black:

+0.11 4...Bb4 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O e4 7.Ng5
+0.18 4...Nd4 5.Bg2 Nxf3+ 6.Bxf3 Bb4 7.O-O
+0.21 4...d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,201 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

under 120065.2%

1200–159951.7%

1600–199953.0%

2000 and up51.9%

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

Where it goes next

King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with .. d64...Bc5 · rare
King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with Nb64...d5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play ...Bb4, castle, and push ...e4 at the right moment. As White, be ready to answer ...e4 with Ng5 and break with d3 or f3. Do not let the e4 pawn sit there unchallenged.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4; 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 5.Bg2 Bxc3 6.dxc3 d6 7.O-O O-O; 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line?

The English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line starts 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3. Its ECO code is A29.

Is the English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.11 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,201 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A main line for both sides, demanding good knowledge of the ...e4 structures.

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

White fianchettoes to fight for d5, and Black answers with ...Bb4 and ...e4. The game turns on whether White can break up the e4 pawn.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bb4, with Nd4 and d5 close behind. 4...Bb4 pins the c3 knight and prepares ...e4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.