English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Napolitano Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
3,238 games: White 43.9% / Draw 5.1% / Black 51.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,6491,649 | ||
| 494494 | ||
| 437437 | ||
| 260260 | ||
| 136136 | ||
| 116116 | ||
| 7171 | ||
| 6161 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−1.04 Black is better
Best play: 3... cxb4 4. a3 e6 5. g3 a5 6. Bg2 d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Napolitano Gambit (ECO A30, Flank Openings) is a gambit in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, reached after 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. b4 (3 moves).
In 3,238 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.9%, Black 51.0% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…cxb4, in 51% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Napolitano Gambit
The most played answer, 3…cxb4, also scores best for Black: 56.1%, with Black winning 53.7% and White 41.5% of 1,649 games. Of the main answers, 3…d6 scores lowest: 49.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3…cxb4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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, Napolitano Gambit (A30)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-napolitano-gambit