ECO A35 · English Opening

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Two Knights Variation

1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6

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

3. Nf3+0.41

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Two Knights Variation (A35), reached after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.413. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 d5 7. Bg2 Bc5
  2. +0.213. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3 O-O
  3. +0.213. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. e3 e6 6. Nge2 Nge7 7. O-O O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Two Knights Variation?
After 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nf3 for White, continuing Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 d5 7. Bg2 Bc5. White is slightly better (+0.41). The next best moves are 3. e3 (+0.21) and 3. g3 (+0.21).
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Two Knights Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.41: 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, Two Knights Variation?
A35. 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+).