Chess Openings Lab
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Hungarian Opening: Symmetrical Variation

The Symmetrical Variation is 1.g3 g6, where Black copies White's fianchetto move. White uses the extra tempo to claim the center with d4 and c4, while Black prepares ...Bg7, ...d5 and ...c6 for a solid Grünfeld or Slav type setup.

Moves
1.g3 g6
ECO
A00
Engine
+0.27 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,100 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take the center with d4 and Nf3 before Black does; the extra tempo means you choose the structure.
  • Add c4 to reach a fianchetto Grünfeld or Slav position with the g2 bishop pressing d5.
  • Keep e4 in mind: a full d4 and e4 center works when Black is slow to play ...d5.

Black

  • Answer with ...Bg7, ...d5 and ...c6, a sturdy setup that blunts the g2 bishop along the long diagonal.
  • Play ...Nf6 after ...c6, so the d5 pawn has two defenders before White's c4 arrives.
  • If White delays d4, ...e5 and ...Nc6 can claim the center instead.

Plans and pawn structure

With both bishops on the long diagonal, the center pawns decide everything. White usually builds d4 and c4, and Black meets them with ...d5 and ...c6, reaching a Slav or Grünfeld where both kings castle short. White's plans include cxd5 to open the c-file and Nc3 with e4 for central space. Black plays for ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 and a timely ...c5 or ...e5 break to free the position.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.27: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.27 2.Nf3 d5 3.d4 Bg7 4.Bg2 c6
  2. +0.27 2.d4 d5 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nf3 c6
  3. +0.25 2.c4 c6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bg2 d5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,100 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.6%.

under 120048.4%
1200–159949.1%
1600–199949.5%
2000 and up52.1%

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

How to play against it

As White, use the extra tempo: d4 and Nf3 first, then Bg2 and c4. Do not copy Black forever; symmetry without central pawns gives Black easy equality. If Black plays ...e5 early, d4 or d3 with e4 keeps the center contested.

Questions

What are the moves of the Hungarian Opening: Symmetrical Variation?

The Hungarian Opening: Symmetrical Variation starts 1.g3 g6. Its ECO code is A00.

Is the Hungarian Opening: Symmetrical Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.27 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,100 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.6%. A safe, mirror-image choice that suits Black players happy with solid fianchetto structures and slow maneuvering.

What is the main idea of the Hungarian Opening: Symmetrical Variation?

Black copies White's fianchetto and waits to see the center. White uses the extra move for d4 and c4, and Black answers with ...d5 and ...c6 for a solid Slav-Grünfeld setup.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with d4 and c4 close behind. 2.Nf3 develops and keeps d4 ready, so White decides the central structure first.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.