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

Not a very popular line for Black because it can lead to a drawish game if Black copies White's moves. This opening has only 39 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.

Statistics

Approximate Chances

White wins 27%, Draws 41%, Loses 32%

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	=

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.