English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 (A37)

The Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A37. The line runs 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3 e5 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.

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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English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 — position after a3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3 e5 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4c5
2Nc3Nc6
3g3g6
4Bg2Bg7
5Nf3e5
6O-ONge7
7a3

ECO: A37

Stockfish: +0.13 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3?

The Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 goes 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3 e5 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A37.

What is the ECO code for the Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3?

The Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 is ECO A37. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.

Is the Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nf3 e5 6. O-O Nge7 7. a3 at +0.13 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.

What kind of position does the Symmetrical Variation, Botvinnik System Reversed, with Nf3 lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.