Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Four Knights Variation

The Symmetrical Four Knights is 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6, with all four knights developed and no central pawn committed. White must choose between an immediate d4 and the slower g3 setup, while Black prepares ...e6 and ...d5 or active queen play with ...Qb6.

Moves
1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6
ECO
A35
Engine
+0.26 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
534 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play d4 so that after ...cxd4 Nxd4 the knight is central and the Ndb5 jump toward d6 and c7 becomes possible.
  • With g3 and Bg2 first, then d4, try to leave Black with an isolated pawn after cxd5 exchanges.
  • The quiet e3 and d4 setup with a3 keeps a solid center and avoids early tactics against the d4 knight.

Black

  • Meet d4 with ...cxd4 and then ...e6 and ...Qb6, hitting the d4 knight and the b2 pawn.
  • Against g3, play ...d5 and ...e6 to fight for the center before the bishop reaches g2.
  • Use ...Ne5 to hit c4 when White's knight leaves d4 for b5.

Plans and pawn structure

With every knight out, the pawn breaks decide the game. White's d4 opens the position quickly, and Black's ...Qb6 and ...Ne5 ideas test whether White's pieces are well coordinated. In the g3 lines, White fianchettoes, plays d4 and often recaptures toward an isolated d5 pawn for Black. Black's sound counterplay comes from ...d5 backed by ...e6, which also frees the f8 bishop. The c-file and the long diagonal are the key lines.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.26: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.26 4.g3 d5 5.d4 e6 6.cxd5 Nxd5
  2. +0.21 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.g3 Qb6
  3. +0.15 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5 6.a3 dxc4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

534 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.9%.

1200–159955.8%
1600–199953.2%
2000 and up52.5%

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

Where it goes next

  • Symmetrical Variation, Four Knights Variation, Keres-Parma System4.g3 · rare

How to play against it

For White: decide between d4 and g3 with a clear plan in mind. After d4 cxd4 Nxd4, expect ...e6 and ...Qb6 and be ready with Ndb5 or Nb3. Avoid quiet waiting moves that let Black play ...d5 for free and take over the center.

Questions

What are the moves of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Four Knights Variation?

The English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Four Knights Variation starts 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6. Its ECO code is A35.

Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Four Knights Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.26 at depth 20, which is level. In 534 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.9%. Balanced and flexible, a good choice for players willing to learn a few concrete lines after d4.

What is the main idea of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Four Knights Variation?

With all knights developed, White picks the moment for d4 while Black prepares ...d5 or active play with ...Qb6 and ...Ne5. The battle is over who opens the center on better terms.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is g3, with d4 and e3 close behind. g3 prepares Bg2 and a later d4, keeping the most options open for White.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.