Systems, apparatuses, and methods for generating error correction codes (ECCs) with two check symbols are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system receives a data word of length N−2 symbols, wherein N is a positive integer greater than 2, wherein each symbol has m bits, and wherein m is positive integer. The system generates a code word of length N symbols from the data word in accordance with a linear code defined by a parity check matrix. The parity check matrix is generated based on powers of γ, wherein γ is equal to β raised to the (2m/4−1) power, β is equal to a raised to the (2m/2+1) power, and α is a primitive element of GF(2m). In another embodiment, the system receives a (N, N−2) code word and decodes the code word by generating a syndrome S from the code word using the parity check matrix.