English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System
1. c4 c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2
5… a6−0.20
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System (A36), reached after 1. c4 c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… a6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.20).
Top engine moves
- −0.205… a6 6. d3 b5 7. Nge2 Rb8 8. cxb5 axb5 9. Be3 b4 10. Na4
- −0.175… Rb8 6. d3 d6 7. Be3 Nf6 8. h3 a6 9. a4 O-O 10. Nge2
- −0.155… d6 6. d3 a6 7. Nge2 Rb8 8. a4 Bg4 9. O-O Bxe2 10. Nxe2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System?
After 1. c4 c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… a6 for Black, continuing 6. d3 b5 7. Nge2 Rb8 8. cxb5 axb5 9. Be3 b4 10. Na4. The position is roughly equal (−0.20). The next best moves are 5… Rb8 (−0.17) and 5… d6 (−0.15).
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.20: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System?
A36. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).