English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nc7
6. a3+0.28
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation (A34), reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nc7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. a3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.28).
Top engine moves
- +0.286. a3 g6 7. h4 Nc6 8. h5 Bg7 9. d3 Bg4 10. h6 Bd4
- +0.246. e3 e5 7. Nge2 Nc6 8. O-O Be7 9. f4 O-O 10. fxe5 Nxe5
- +0.236. d3 e5 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qb3 Nc6 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Nf3 f6
Other move orders
- 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation?
After 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nc7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. a3 for White, continuing g6 7. h4 Nc6 8. h5 Bg7 9. d3 Bg4 10. h6 Bd4. The position is roughly equal (+0.28). The next best moves are 6. e3 (+0.24) and 6. d3 (+0.23).
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.28: 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, Rubinstein 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+).