Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Qd7
6. Qe3+0.48
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense (B53), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Qd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Qe3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.48).
Top engine moves
- +0.486. Qe3 Nf6 7. O-O g6 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. Nd5 O-O 10. Rd1 Qd8
- +0.456. Qd3 a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bb3 Nf6 9. a4 b4 10. Bg5 Na5
- +0.276. Qa4 a6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. Nc3 e6 9. b4 Be7 10. b5 Ne5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Qd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Qe3 for White, continuing Nf6 7. O-O g6 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. Nd5 O-O 10. Rd1 Qd8. White is slightly better (+0.48). The next best moves are 6. Qd3 (+0.45) and 6. Qa4 (+0.27).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.48: 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: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense?
B53. 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+).