Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Ultra-Symmetrical Variation

The Ultra-Symmetrical Variation runs 1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6, a perfect mirror image with both bishops on the long diagonals. White uses the extra tempo for d4, an e3 and Nge2 setup, or a queenside push with a3 and Rb1.

Moves
1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6
ECO
A36
Engine
+0.25 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
562 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Nf3 and d4, and after ...cxd4 jump Nb5 to eye d6 and c7 instead of recapturing at once.
  • Set up e3 and Nge2, castle, then play d4 so the center opens on your terms.
  • Use a3, Rb1 and b4 to open the b-file and expand on the queenside before Black's ...a5.

Black

  • Meet d4 with ...cxd4 and ...d5, opening the center so the g7 bishop gets active.
  • Develop ...e6 and ...Nge7, keeping the long diagonal open and supporting ...d5.
  • Against a3 and Rb1, play ...a5 to slow b4, then castle and play ...d6.

Plans and pawn structure

The positions stay symmetrical until one side breaks. White's extra tempo is most useful for the d4 push, which can give a central or queenside initiative. In the queenside expansion lines, White plays a3, Rb1 and b4, and Black answers with ...a5, ...O-O and ...d6. The long diagonals matter throughout, so the trade of a fianchetto bishop, for example after Bg5 and Bxf6 ideas, changes the balance.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.25: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.25 5.Nf3 e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nb5 d5
  2. +0.16 5.e3 e6 6.Nge2 Nge7 7.O-O O-O
  3. +0.10 5.a3 Nf6 6.Rb1 a5 7.d3 O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

562 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

1200–159953.3%
1600–199953.2%
2000 and up52.4%

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

How to play against it

For White: don't copy Black forever. Pick a plan: Nf3 with d4, e3 with Nge2, or a3 with Rb1, and play it with purpose. Avoid letting Black break first with ...d5 while your pieces are still on passive squares, because then the extra tempo is gone and Black has the freer game.

Questions

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

The English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Ultra-Symmetrical Variation starts 1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6. Its ECO code is A36.

Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Ultra-Symmetrical Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.25 at depth 20, which is level. In 562 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A quiet, strategic line for patient players who enjoy maneuvering.

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

Both sides play the same fianchetto setup. White uses the extra tempo for a d4 break or queenside expansion with a3, Rb1 and b4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with e3 and a3 close behind. Nf3 prepares d4, using the extra tempo in the center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.