The Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A34. The line runs 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after six 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, Rubinstein Variation goes 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A34.
The Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation is ECO A34. 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. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nc7 at +0.05 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.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move.