ECO B58 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 g6

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

8. Bg5+0.46

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer (B58), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Bg5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.46).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.468. Bg5 Bg7 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nd5 Bxe5 11. Qb4 f6 12. f4 fxg5
  2. +0.418. g4 Bg7 9. g5 Nh5 10. Qe3 f5 11. Bd2 O-O 12. Bc4+ Kh8
  3. +0.378. Be3 Bg7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. e5 Nd7 11. f4 dxe5 12. fxe5 Bxe5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Bg5 for White, continuing Bg7 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nd5 Bxe5 11. Qb4 f6 12. f4 fxg5. White is slightly better (+0.46). The next best moves are 8. g4 (+0.41) and 8. Be3 (+0.37).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.46: 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: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer?
B58. 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+).