ECO B27 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 h6

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

3. d4+0.65

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 h6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.65).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.653. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. Be3 e5
  2. +0.643. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bc4 a6 7. Be3 e5
  3. +0.583. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Bc4 e6 7. cxd4 d6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 h6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. d4 for White, continuing cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. Be3 e5. White is slightly better (+0.65). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+0.64) and 3. c3 (+0.58).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.65: white is slightly 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: Bücker Variation?
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+).