Polish Opening: Symmetrical Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
117,248 games: White 54.3% / Draw 5.0% / Black 40.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 92,05492K | ||
| 11,32411K | ||
| 5,8205,820 | ||
| 2,4112,411 | ||
| 2,1312,131 | ||
| 965965 | ||
| 473473 | ||
| 463463 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.20 The position is about equal
Best play: 2. a4 e6 3. axb5 Bxb4 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bb2 Nf6 6. e5 Nd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Polish Opening: Symmetrical Variation (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Polish Opening, reached after 1. b4 b5 (1 move).
In 117,248 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.3%, Black 40.6% and 5.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 2. Bb2, in 79% 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 Polish Opening: Symmetrical Variation
2. e3 scores best for White: 57.2%, with White winning 54.7% and Black 40.3% of 11K games. The most played answer, 2. Bb2, scores lowest: 57.1% in 92K games. Stockfish's first choice is 2. a4.
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. “Polish Opening: Symmetrical Variation (A00)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/polish-opening-symmetrical-variation