English Opening: Symmetrical Variation 3. Nf3 e5
Also known as Symmetrical English
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Statistics from Lichess
13,078 games: White 58.6% / Draw 5.0% / Black 36.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,7687,768 | ||
| 1,7221,722 | ||
| 1,5601,560 | ||
| 1,1591,159 | ||
| 689689 | ||
| 7676 | ||
| 2727 | ||
| 2323 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.76 White is clearly better
Best play: 4. Nxe5 d6 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Qc2 O-O 8. b3 Nb8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation (ECO A35, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Three Knights Variation, reached after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 e5 (3 moves).
In 13,078 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 58.6%, Black 36.4% and 5.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nxe5, in 59% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 3…e5
The most played answer, 4. Nxe5, also scores best for White: 64.3%, with White winning 61.9% and Black 33.4% of 7,768 games. Of the main answers, 4. e4 scores lowest: 51.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. Nxe5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “English Opening: Symmetrical Variation (A35)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-3