English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation

1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 c5 3.Nf3

ECO A31

The English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation is a chess opening line in the English Opening complex, reached after 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 c5 3.Nf3.

It is catalogued under code A31 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nf3 is chosen by White on move 3.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Spielmann Defense and the Geller Variation.

Named variations

• English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense — ECO A32
• English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Geller Variation — ECO A33

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Benko Gambit course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.