ECO B27 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bh6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. d4+0.84

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bh6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.84).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.844. d4 Bxc1 5. Qxc1 d6 6. d5 e5 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. Qe3 Ndf6
  2. +0.754. Nc3 Bg7 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 7. Be3 d6 8. Be2 Nf6
  3. +0.194. d3 Bxc1 5. Qxc1 Nc6 6. Nc3 e5 7. Be2 d6 8. Qd2 Nge7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bh6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing Bxc1 5. Qxc1 d6 6. d5 e5 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. Qe3 Ndf6. White is clearly better (+0.84). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+0.75) and 4. d3 (+0.19).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.84: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension?
B27. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).