Caissa Codex
A32

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense

Chess diagram: English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense after 4…Nf6

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

164,975 games: White 47.8% / Draw 6.0% / Black 46.2%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
101,460101K
29,52430K
12,18512K
9,6409,640
4,5054,505
1,4081,408
1,3701,370
1,1461,146

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

Engine evaluation

+0.07 The position is about equal

Best play: 5. Nc3 d5 6. e3 Nc6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. O-O Bd6

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, Spielmann Defense (ECO A32, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Agincourt Defense, reached after 1. c4 e6 2. d4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 (4 moves).

In 164,975 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.8%, Black 46.2% and 6.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Nc3, in 62% of those games.

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

5. g3 scores best for White: 54.0%, with White winning 50.6% and Black 42.5% of 30K games. The most played, 5. Nc3, scores 51.1% in 101K games, and 5. Bg5 scores lowest: 43.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Nc3.

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. d4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6, the position after English Opening: Agincourt Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense (A32)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-anti-benoni-variation-spielmann-defense

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