English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
99,800 games: White 44.9% / Draw 6.8% / Black 48.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 59,95660K | ||
| 14,55215K | ||
| 12,23212K | ||
| 3,4863,486 | ||
| 3,2743,274 | ||
| 1,8971,897 | ||
| 1,4391,439 | ||
| 952952 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 26, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.13 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. e3 e5 7. Nge2 Nc6 8. O-O Be7 9. f4 O-O 10. b3 Bf5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation (ECO A34, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Fianchetto Variation, reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nc7 (5 moves).
In 99,800 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.9%, Black 48.3% and 6.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nf3, in 60% 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, Rubinstein Variation
6. e3 scores best for White: 49.3%, with White winning 45.6% and Black 47.1% of 12K games. The most played answer, 6. Nf3, scores lowest: 47.2% in 60K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. e3.
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, Rubinstein Variation (A34)”. Lichess data as of 26 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-symmetrical-variation-rubinstein-variation