The Symmetrical Variation, Pseudo-Catalan is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game, catalogued as ECO D02. The line runs 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d4 e6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Queen's Pawn Game generally: General term for openings beginning with 1.d4. Leads to strategic, positional play.
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The Symmetrical Variation, Pseudo-Catalan goes 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d4 e6. It is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game and is catalogued as ECO D02.
The Symmetrical Variation, Pseudo-Catalan is ECO D02. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Pawn Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d4 e6 at +0.16 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.