English Orangutan

In the English Orangutan, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

See how you play it

The English Orangutan is a chess opening classified under ECO code A15. It is reached after the moves 1. c4 Nf6 2. b4: 3 moves in, with Black to play.

Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.

Club players rarely lose the English Orangutan in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

See how you play this opening