English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation position after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.d4. White: pawn on c4, pawn on d4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on g3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on e2, pawn on f2, bishop on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on d7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, knight on c6, knight on f6, pawn on g6, pawn on c5.
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.d4. It is classified A39 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The English Opening starts with 1.c4, controlling d5 from the flank rather than occupying the centre with a pawn. It is one of the four most common first moves and is prized for its flexibility, transposing readily into queen's pawn openings or keeping an independent character.
Strategic character
Strategic and slow-building. Common structures include the Reversed Sicilian, where White plays the Sicilian with an extra tempo, and the Symmetrical English after 1...c5. Fianchettos and long manoeuvring are typical.
Who should play it
Positional players who like flexible systems and are comfortable in structures where the plan is not decided in the first ten moves.
This line is a variation within the English Opening family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.d4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation?
The English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.d4. It is classified A39 in the ECO system. The English Opening starts with 1.c4, controlling d5 from the flank rather than occupying the centre with a pawn. It is one of the four most common first moves and is prized for its flexibility, transposing readily into queen's pawn openings or keeping an independent character.
What are the moves of the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation?
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.d4. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation good for beginners?
Positional players who like flexible systems and are comfortable in structures where the plan is not decided in the first ten moves.