ECO B30 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 Bg5

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

7. h4+0.41

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line (B30), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. h4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.417. h4 Bh6 8. Qh5 g6 9. Qf3 Nf6 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Be6
  2. +0.257. Qh5 g6 8. Qd1 Nf6 9. h4 Bf4 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Be6
  3. +0.207. a4 Nge7 8. Qh5 Ng6 9. h4 Bh6 10. g3 Be6 11. Nf3 Bxc1

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. h4 for White, continuing Bh6 8. Qh5 g6 9. Qf3 Nf6 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Be6. White is slightly better (+0.41). The next best moves are 7. Qh5 (+0.25) and 7. a4 (+0.20).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.41: 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: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line?
B30. 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+).