Chess Opening Theory/1. f4/1...f5

Symmetrical Variation
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppppp1pp/8/5p2/5P2/8/PPPPP1PP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1. f4 f5
ECO code: A02-A03
Parent: 1._f4

The Symmetrical Variation

This is not a very popular line for Black because it can lead to a closed and relatively uneventful game if Black copies White's moves. This opening has only 40 games played by masters in the Lichess Master Database. There are two ways of playing this opening: 1. immediately disrupting the closeness with 2.e4, or 2. playing solidly and developing quietly.

Of note here is the Double Duck Formation, which is when White plays d4 and Black responds with d5.

Statistics

Approximate Chances

White wins 25%, Draws 43%, Loses 33%

Theory Table

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

	2	3	4	5
Wagner-Zwitersch Gambit	e4 fxe4	d3 exd3	Bxd3 Nf6	Nf3 e6	=
Swiss Gambit	e4 fxe4	Nc3 Nf6	g4 ...	... ...	=/+
	Nf3 Nf6	g3 g6	Bg2 Bg7	O-O O-O	=
Double Duck Formation	d4 d5				=

References

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

• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.