Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

English Opening

Closed, Taimanov Variation

A25positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.c4e5
  2. 2.Nc3Nc6
  3. 3.g3g6
  4. 4.Rb1Nh6
  5. 5.Bg2Bg7

No game statistics for this position yet.

A Closed English line in which White plays an early Rb1 to prepare b4 and Black develops a knight to h6, leading to a slow, symmetrical fianchetto game.

Train it in Theoria

About the Taimanov Variation

The Taimanov Variation of the Closed English arises after 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6. White plays 4. Rb1 before finishing development. The rook move prepares b4 and queenside expansion. Black replies 4...Nh6, putting the king's knight on the rim so that it does not block the f-pawn and ...f5 remains available. After 5. Bg2 Bg7 both kingside bishops stand on the long diagonals, and the resulting play is slow and maneuvering.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.