Chess Openings Lab
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English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation

The Anti-Benoni comes after 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 c5 3.Nf3, where White refuses to push d5 and supports d4 with the knight. White wants an open Sicilian-like game with Nxd4, while Black chooses between trading on d4 and keeping tension.

Moves
1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 c5 3.Nf3
ECO
A31
Engine
+0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,457 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After ...cxd4 Nxd4, use the d4 knight and c4 pawn to clamp d5 and build a Maroczy-type bind.
  • If Black plays ...d5, take cxd5 and recapture so that Black's queen gets chased with Nc3.
  • Against ...a6, push d5 and switch to a Benoni-style space edge with e4.

Black

  • Play ...cxd4 and then ...e6 and ...d5 to free the position before White sets up a bind.
  • Answer cxd5 by ...cxd4 and Qxd5, but be ready to retreat the queen when Nc3 hits it.
  • A Hedgehog plan with ...e6, ...b6 and ...Bb7 is also possible, keeping the pawns compact.

Plans and pawn structure

This is a crossroads between the Benoni, the Hedgehog and the Symmetrical English. If Black takes on d4, White's knight centralizes and the game becomes an Open Sicilian with a c4 pawn: White wants a bind, Black wants ...d5. After ...e6 and ...d5 the center opens and small development edges matter, so Bd2 and Nc3 are typical. If Black tries ...a6 and ...b5, White grabs space with d5 and e4.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.13 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5
  2. +0.45 3...d5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Qxd5 6.Nc3
  3. +0.62 3...a6 4.d5 b5 5.Nbd2 g6 6.e4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,457 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.5%.

1200–159946.0%
1600–199951.7%
2000 and up52.7%

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

How to play against it

For Black: the cleanest answer is ...cxd4, then ...e6 and ...d5 to break the bind early. Avoid premature queen moves into open files where Nc3 gains time. Be careful with ...a6 and ...b5 ideas, which give White a space advantage after d5 and e4.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation?

The English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation starts 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 c5 3.Nf3. Its ECO code is A31.

Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,457 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.5%. Good for White players who prefer open, Sicilian-style play to Benoni structures; Black needs a solid freeing plan.

What is the main idea of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation?

White avoids the Benoni by keeping the d-pawn on d4 and recapturing with a knight. Black aims for ...cxd4 and ...d5 to free the game.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is cxd4, with d5 and a6 close behind. ...cxd4 opens the c-file and prepares ...e6 and ...d5 with easy development.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.