Chess Opening Theory/1. c4/1...e5/2. g3

=English Opening=

2.g3
White prepares to fianchetto the king's bishop on the long diagonal by playing 3. Bg2 that will put more pressure on d5 square discourage black from playing pawn to d5. If black is determined to put a pawn d5 they can play 2...c6 leading to the the Reversed Alapin that is the main line of the Alapin Variation being played in reverse: 1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Nd4. Instead of playing 2... c6 black might play 2... d5 that is a good move that forces white to protect its rook by blocking with 4. Nf3. Unfortunately, a common blunder is to play 4... e4?? that leads to the lost of a pawn with the line 5. Nc3 Qe6 6. Qa4+ Bd7 7. Qxe4 or the lost of the queen with the trap 5. Nc3 Qc6 6. e3 exf3?? 7. Bb5 that pins the queen to the king by sacrificing a knight.

Theory Table

 * 1.c4 e5 2.g3