English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO A31), reached after 5 half-moves: 1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 c5 3. Nf3.

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3…c5 1 line
- A33 Geller Variation
3…cxd4 1 line
- A32 Spielmann Defense

About this opening

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code A31. ECO group A (A00–A99) covers flank and irregular openings, including the English, Bird, Réti and Dutch defences. This particular variation is reached after 5 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 c5 3. Nf3.

It belongs to the English Opening family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Symmetrical Variation → Anti-Benoni Variation line). The immediate parent line is English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, transitioned via 3.Nf3.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.c4 Nf6, 2.d4 c5, 3.Nf3. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.