ECO B23 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Closed

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3

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

2… Nc6+0.29

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Closed (B23), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.292… Nc6 3. Nge2 Qb6 4. Nd5 Qa5 5. b3 e6 6. Ne3 Nf6 7. Nc3
  2. +0.362… a6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Be2 b5 5. O-O Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4
  3. +0.362… e6 3. Nf3 a6 4. Be2 b5 5. O-O Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. g3
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Be3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Closed?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nc6 for Black, continuing 3. Nge2 Qb6 4. Nd5 Qa5 5. b3 e6 6. Ne3 Nf6 7. Nc3. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 2… a6 (+0.36) and 2… e6 (+0.36).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Closed a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: the position is roughly equal. 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: Closed?
B23. 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+).