Caissa Codex
A34

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation 5. d4 cxd4

Also known as Symmetrical English

Chess diagram: English Opening: Symmetrical Variation after 5…cxd4

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Statistics from Lichess

2,217 games: White 52.3% / Draw 14.5% / Black 33.2%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
2,1842,184
2222
77
22
11
11

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.31 White is slightly better

Best play: 6. Nxd4 dxc4 7. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 8. Nxd1 bxc6 9. Bg2 Nd5 10. Ne3 e6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation (ECO A34, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, reached after 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. d4 cxd4 (5 moves).

In 2,217 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.3%, Black 33.2% and 14.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nxd4, in 99% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 2…Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. d4 cxd4, the position after English Opening: Symmetrical Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “English Opening: Symmetrical Variation (A34)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-4

https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-4