ECO A34 · English Opening

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Normal Variation

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… g6+0.25

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Normal Variation (A34), reached after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… g6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.25).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.252… g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nb3 d6 7. e4
  2. +0.282… Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 e6 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nge2 d5 7. cxd5
  3. +0.292… Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 g6 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Normal Variation?
After 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… g6 for Black, continuing 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nb3 d6 7. e4. The position is roughly equal (+0.25). The next best moves are 2… Nc6 (+0.28) and 2… Nf6 (+0.29).
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Normal Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.25: 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, Normal Variation?
A34. 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+).