Chess History Guide
Chess Style Evolution
[English Style]

Chess Style
- English -

Briefly bisecting the Romantic and Classical/Modern eras was a style lead by Englishman Howard Staunton and often referred to as the English school or English style.

The English Style was/is a total contradiction to the Romantic style's policy of attack immediately, which was a key feature of the Italian game.

By contrast, English proponents aim to control the small center of the board, or gain some other advantage, before spearheading attacks against the King. Staunton's game often preferred a Flank Opening - developing from the Flanks of the c and/or f files, respectively.

In addition, Staunton sometimes opted for a Fianchetto development - that is, a sequence that develops a Bishop to the 2nd Rank, to sit behind an advanced Pawn, but in front of where the Knight starts a game.

Key Features:

Open from the Flanks to control the Small Center of the Board.

Typical Openings begin with advancing either Bishop's Pawns, to the 4th Rank.

Once the Center is controlled, try to gain some sort of advantage - material and/or positional - before proceeding into a direct attack against the enemy's King.

Example Game
- English Style -

- Anderssen-Wyvill, London, 1851 -