The Fourth of July is the American Independence Day, the Fourteenth of July is Bastille Day, the French National Holiday, and the Twentieth of July is International Chess Day. Celebrate with a piece of cake!

(Photo: Chess Cakes © Flickr user clarescupcakes.co.uk under Creative Commons.)

The position after 1.c4 c5 is known as the Symmetrical Variation of the English Opening. The lack of direct contact between the armies and the absence of threats means that there are a generous number of moves that can be played in different orders by both sides. Transpositions from one position to another are common and transpositions into openings other than the English are possible at many steps. Read more...