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

Symmetrical Variation rd nd bd qd kd bd nd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl bl nl rl 1. f4 f5 A02-A03 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 2 3 4 5 Wagner-Zwitersch Gambit e4fxe4 d3exd3 Bxd3Nf6 Nf3e6 = Swiss Gambit e4fxe4 Nc3Nf6 g4... ...... =/+ Nf3Nf6 g3g6 Bg2Bg7 O-OO-O = Double Duck Formationd4 d5= Bird's Opening References