Symmetrical Variation, Duchamp Variation

The Duchamp Variation arises from the fully mirrored fianchetto position of the Symmetrical English, with both sides' knights developed to c3, f3, c6 and f6 and both kings castled. It often comes from the Anglo-Indian order 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3. Instead of the direct 7. d4 of the Mecking Variation, which opens lines at once, 7. d3 keeps the symmetry intact for the time being. White covers e4, keeps the c1 bishop free and holds back the central decision until the flanks or the center offer a clearer target. The pawn on d3 is the base for the kind of play found in Botvinnik-type setups.

Black faces the same choice. The most common answer is 7...d6, which completes the mirror image and leads to a slow maneuvering game. 7...d5 contests the center at once and is Black's most active try, while 7...e6 prepares ...d5 with pawn support. The engine also ranks the fianchetto 7...b6 among its top choices. It assesses the position as level, and White scores somewhat better in practice.