Anglo-Lithuanian Variation

The Anglo-Lithuanian Variation answers 1. c4 with 1...Nc6, bringing the queen's knight out at once to bear on the central squares d4 and e5. Black does not commit any pawn, so the move order stays flexible, and the game often transposes into other systems. It is a relatively uncommon reply, and White scores somewhat better than Black in online play. The engine gives White a slight edge.

White's three main options differ in how far they leave the English. 2. d4 claims central space and transposes into a line of the Mikenas Defense, normally reached by 1. d4 Nc6 2. c4. Opening references regard it as the most accurate reply. The more popular approach keeps the game within English territory. 2. Nc3 is by far the most common choice and accounts for more than half of all games. 2. g3 prepares a kingside fianchetto. With either move, White develops normally and lets Black's later pawn moves decide which structure follows.