Symmetrical: Fianchetto Variation is variation 3 of 6 in the English Opening course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A38). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 …. Both sides mirror each other with fianchettoed bishops. White uses the move advantage to start the queenside fight first with a3, Rb1 and b4, opening the b-file. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. c4 – Takes control of d5 and keeps the e- and d-pawns flexible.
1... c5 – The Symmetrical English: Black copies and fights for d4.
2. Nc3 – Develops and controls d5 and e4.
2... Nc6 – Develops and controls d4 and e5.
3. g3 – Prepares Bg2, the heart of White's setup.
3... g6 – Black mirrors with a fianchetto of his own.
4. Bg2 – The bishop goes to the long diagonal, pressing on the c6 knight and the b7 pawn.
4... Bg7 – Black's bishop matches White's on the long diagonal, eyeing c3 and b2.
5. Nf3 – Develops, controls d4 and e5 and prepares castling.
5... Nf6 – Develops the knight and prepares castling.
6. O-O – White castles first, keeping the move advantage.
6... O-O – Black castles too; now both sides choose a plan.
7. d3 – Supports c4 and opens the c1 bishop, preparing the queenside expansion.
7... d6 – Black also keeps a compact centre and frees the c8 bishop.
8. a3 – Prepares b4 so the b-pawn can attack c5 without being taken.
8... a6 – Black copies with the same idea, preparing ...b5.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM