Caissa Codex
A33

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation

Chess diagram: English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation after 6…Qb6

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Statistics from Lichess

11,754 games: White 42.1% / Draw 6.9% / Black 51.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
4,9634,963
2,4932,493
1,9261,926
1,1051,105
976976
190190
6060
3535

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.04 The position is about equal

Best play: 7. Ndb5 Ne5 8. Bg2 a6 9. Na4 Qa5+ 10. Nbc3 Nxc4 11. O-O d5

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

Overview

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation (ECO A33, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Agincourt Defense, reached after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. d4 Nc6 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qb6 (6 moves).

In 11,754 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.1%, Black 51.0% and 6.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Nb3, in 42% of those games.

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How to play against the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation

7. Ndb5 scores best for White: 49.6%, with White winning 46.1% and Black 46.9% of 2,493 games. The most played, 7. Nb3, scores 44.9% in 4,963 games, and 7. Nxc6 scores lowest: 40.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Ndb5.

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

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 2…Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. d4 Nc6 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qb6, the position after English Opening: Agincourt Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation (A33)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-anti-benoni-variation-geller-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-anti-benoni-variation-geller-variation