English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Hedgehog Defense
1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7
7. d4+0.53
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Hedgehog Defense (A30), reached after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.53).
Top engine moves
- +0.537. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 O-O 9. e4 Nc6 10. Qd3 Ng4 11. Bf4 f6
- +0.277. Re1 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qa4+ Nd7 11. Nxd5 Bxd5
- +0.187. b3 d5 8. d4 O-O 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bb2 Re8 11. Rc1 Nbd7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Hedgehog Defense?
After 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. d4 for White, continuing cxd4 8. Qxd4 O-O 9. e4 Nc6 10. Qd3 Ng4 11. Bf4 f6. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 7. Re1 (+0.27) and 7. b3 (+0.18).
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Hedgehog Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: white is slightly better. 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, Hedgehog Defense?
A30. 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+).