Symmetrical Variation, Mecking Variation

The Mecking Variation arises from the fully mirrored fianchetto position of the Symmetrical English, with both sides having played ...Nc6, ...g6, ...Bg7, ...Nf6 and castled. It is often reached through 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6, as well as through the 2. Nc3 order. The ECO places it at A39, the last code in the English Opening. Instead of continuing to maneuver with moves such as d3, White uses the knight on f3 to support 7. d4, the direct break that ends the symmetry. This invites exchanges on d4 and opens lines for the bishops on g2 and g7.

Black usually answers with 7...cxd4, accounting for about three quarters of games. White then recaptures on d4, and the play turns on open files and the long diagonals, with a structure resembling an Open Sicilian. The quieter 7...d6 keeps the tension and lets White decide how to resolve the center. The rarer 7...d5 hits back in the center at once. The engine considers the position roughly balanced. In practice White scores somewhat better, although 7...d6 gives Black comparatively good results.