Chess Openings Lab
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English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation, Smyslov System

The Smyslov System is 3.g3 Bb4, pinning the c3 knight before White finishes the fianchetto. Black is ready to give the bishop for the knight to double White's c-pawns, while White wants the bishop pair and central control after e4.

Moves
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Bb4
ECO
A22
Engine
+0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
764 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Finish with Bg2 and then play e4, so that if ...Bxc3 bxc3 the doubled pawns still help control d4 and d5.
  • Use the knight on e2, not f3, so the f-pawn stays free and the g2 bishop keeps the long diagonal.
  • With the bishop pair, open the position later with d4 or f4 to make both bishops active.

Black

  • Castle, then take on c3 when White commits to e4 and the bishops are less mobile.
  • Prepare ...c6 and ...d5 to open lines against the doubled c-pawns and the c4 weakness.
  • Against slower plans with d3 and Bg5, answer ...h6 and accept the trade of the f6 knight.

Plans and pawn structure

The structure after ...Bxc3 bxc3 defines the game. White has doubled c-pawns and a bishop pair; Black has a knight and better pawns. Black wants ...c6 and ...d5 to attack c4, then knights to good squares like c5 or e6. White wants the center locked enough to keep the pawns safe, then d4 or f4 to free the bishops. If Black never takes on c3, White gains time by playing e4 and Ne2.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.08 4.Bg2 O-O 5.e4 Bxc3 6.bxc3 c6
  2. +0.05 4.e4 d6 5.Nge2 Bg4 6.Bg2 a5
  3. −0.07 4.d3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.Bg5 h6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

764 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.1%.

under 120044.1%
1200–159953.1%
1600–199951.1%
2000 and up40.4%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, Delayed .. Nc64.Bg2 · rare

How to play against it

For White: don't fear the doubled pawns, but don't let them become targets. Play Bg2, e4 and Ne2 so the c3 pawn supports the center. Avoid early a3 if it only forces a trade you don't want. Keep the bishops and plan to open the position once castled.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation, Smyslov System?

The English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation, Smyslov System starts 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Bb4. Its ECO code is A22.

Is the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation, Smyslov System good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 764 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.1%. A practical weapon for Black players who like playing knights against bishops; White needs patience to make the bishop pair count.

What is the main idea of the English Opening: King's English Variation, Two Knights Variation, Smyslov System?

Black pins the c3 knight and is happy to trade bishop for knight, leaving White with doubled c-pawns. White accepts that structure in return for the bishop pair and a strong center after e4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg2, with e4 and d3 close behind. Bg2 finishes the fianchetto first, so a later ...Bxc3 bxc3 does not cost White development.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.