English Defense

1.d4 b6

ECO A40

The English Defense is a chess opening reached after 1.d4 b6, catalogued under code A40 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move b6 is chosen by Black on move 1.

5 named continuations branch from this position, including the Eastbourne Gambit and the Hartlaub Gambit Accepted.

Named variations

• English Defense: Eastbourne Gambit — ECO A40
• English Defense: Hartlaub Gambit Accepted — ECO A40
• English Defense: Hartlaub Gambit Declined — ECO A40
• English Defense: Perrin Variation — ECO A40
• English Defense: Poli Gambit — ECO A40

Do you want to learn openings?

Start with a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent:

• Catalan Opening
• King's Indian Defense with ...e5

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.