English Opening: King's English Variation, Smyslov Defense

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.Nf3 Bg4

ECO A21

The English Opening: King's English Variation, Smyslov Defense is a chess opening line in the English Opening complex, reached after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.Nf3 Bg4.

It is catalogued under code A21 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bg4 is chosen by Black on move 3.

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.