What is the best defense for the english opening.

I went to a turnument ( yes i know i spelt it wrong) but anyways..... I was undefeated until this kid that was playing as white did the english. then he went into a kings fiancetto. I lost. what should I have done.

i recommend 1...e5! many englishplayers are weak if you manage to simply open up the game

Check this article posted by Hippochess at feel days ago, it's very instructive:

http://www.chess.com/article/view/beating-the-english-opening

rds

Hi RomanZapata, I found a very complet explain on UTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&v=L177r53VsPA

Check this out

I'm usually happy to see 1. . .e5, as the English works well open, semi-closed, or closed (one of the reasons I play it so regularly).  I've had the hardest time winning against 1. . .c5, though one reason for that may be that I've only stronger players have used that response against me.  I think it really depends on what your playing style is like. 

I disagree. I play the English, and 1. e5 (the reversed Sicilian) is the most common response by far, and an English player will know what to do. Furthermore, I prefer when the opponent opens things up, as it makes my bishop more effective.

Just play whatever you play against the Sicillian backwards. I particularly hate 1.d5 gambit openings.

1.c4 e5! and White has nothing!

I think it depends on what you play vs. other openings. Tell me, what do you play against e4 and d4, and what do you play as white? (e4 or d4)

I agree, g6 is probably the best move against the english.

 I often do a symetrical variation. otherwise i will do a knights opening if i`m playing black. often when i play as white i do e5.

 that`s what i did. he then did a fiancetto.

it was blacks move... not white.

Ok, so if I understood you correctly you play e4 as white, and e5 vs e4 as black. Well, as an e4 player you might be most comfortable in a reversed sicilian position in the english opening. As an e4 player what do you play against the sicilian? It is possible to play an open sicilian in reverse, as well as a grand-prix attack and closed sicilian in reverse against the english. You might be very comfortable in positions like that.

I love playing against the symmetrical. I have had good results against c5. There are a few standard plans that allow white to gradually apply pressure to the queenside

or the kramnic

that makes absolutely no sence at all. first you recommend against my 1...e5 and then you suggest him to play what he plays against the sicilian which start with 1...e5?

yes 1...e5 is the most common move against 1.c4. its a common and principled way to play against the english by punishing that white is not taking the center by taking it yourself. when good e4players play this against the english the englishplayer often gets in big trouble. many englishplayers play 1.c4 because they are getting tired of losing fast in openings like 1.e4 and change to english opening instead of learning the open game:)

I like the idea of playing a reversed Closed Sicilian

You can also play 1.d5, which is the Anglo-Scandinavian defense. If you are a viking swashbukler type.

perhaps you should try your best making a transposition into your favorite defence to 1d4, say, the most flexible would be 1c4 Nf6, then if he moves 2Nc3 then 2...e6 if you play the QGD or Queen's Indian or the Nimzo/Bogo. or 2...g6 if you play the KI or the Gruenfeld. then if he plays 3g3 you can just continue 3..d5 before he gets in Bg2. then your opening would trod along familiar lines now. or perhaps you could consider playing the hedgehog or the 1...b6 defence?it's up to you. don't let him dictate your move.

tigergut, that one tempi makes for very different games between 1.c4, e5 and 1.e4, c5.  For example, black hardly ever gets a chance to play d5 in the English, while d4 is played in many lines in the Sicilian.

Well, I have a completely different solution: Jaenisch Gambit!

Here is why it is good:

1) It is unexpected

2) It gives Rook a &b files

3) Develops Bishop well

4) Pins opponents e pawn