Chess Openings Lab
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English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Two Knights Variation

The Two Knights Variation of the Symmetrical English is 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6, with both queen's knights out and the center undecided. White picks a Nf3, g3 or e3 setup next, and Black keeps ...g6, ...e6 and ...Nf6 choices open.

Moves
1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6
ECO
A35
Engine
+0.24 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,684 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Nf3 and g3, then d4, opening the center while Black's king is still in the middle.
  • A g3 fianchetto with Nf3 and Bg2 keeps lasting pressure on d5 and the b7 pawn.
  • The e3 and d4 setup gives a solid center and room for a3 and b4 on the queenside.

Black

  • Develop ...Nf6 and ...e6, then play ...d5 to claim the center before White does.
  • Mirror White with ...g6 and ...Bg7, aiming for ...e6 and ...cxd4 at the right moment.
  • Against e3 and d4, use ...dxc4 to win a tempo when the f1 bishop recaptures.

Plans and pawn structure

The structure depends on White's third move. With Nf3, g3 and d4, the center opens and Black often accepts an isolated d5 pawn after ...d5 and exchanges. The fianchetto plans keep slow pressure on Black's queenside along the long diagonal. The e3 setup is quieter: White fixes the center, adds a3, and fights for queenside space while Black aims for ...dxc4 and ...a6 to free the position.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.24: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.24 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 d5 5.d4 e6
  2. +0.21 3.g3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bg2 e6
  3. +0.15 3.e3 e6 4.d4 d5 5.Nf3 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,684 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.4%.

under 120042.0%
1200–159949.7%
1600–199951.1%
2000 and up51.3%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

For White: choose a setup that suits your style; Nf3 is the most flexible. Don't let Black play ...d5 and ...e6 unopposed; prepare d4 or cxd5 so you can meet it. Avoid pure copycat play that lets Black equalize without effort.

Questions

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

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

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.24 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,684 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.4%. Suits players who like flexible maneuvering positions and are comfortable with small edges.

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

Both sides develop their queen's knights and keep their options. White's choice of Nf3, g3 or e3 next move decides the structure and the type of game.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with g3 and e3 close behind. Nf3 develops and keeps both d4 and g3 plans available.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.