The Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A36. The line runs 1. c4 c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the English Opening generally: A flexible opening where White controls the center with c4. Can transpose into many different systems.
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The Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System goes 1. c4 c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A36.
The Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System is ECO A36. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 c5 2. e4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 at -0.34 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.