Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4/2...c5/3. Nf3

Symmetrical English
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black kingh8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black kingd7 black pawne7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black knightg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black pawnd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 white pawnd4 white pawne4 black kingf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 white knightg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 black kingd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 black kingh1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3

Symmetrical English

edit

3. Nf3

edit

This line is often played to avoid the theoretical complications of the Benoni. If black plays cxd4, it resembles a Sicilian, where e4 is replaced with c4, and may transpose into Sicilians which allow a Maroczy Bind such as the Accelerated Dragon. Black may also play e6, allowing white to transpose back into the Benoni or play e3, which lets black capture to an equal position, play d5 with a symmetrical position, or continue to defer with a6 or b6.

Theory table

edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3
3 4 5
Nf3
cxd4
Nxd4
e6
Nc3
Nc6
=
...
e6
d5
exd5
cxd5
d6
= to 2...e6 3. Nf3 c5

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References

edit
  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.