ECO B23 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Portland Attack

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d3 g6 4. g4

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

4… Bg7−0.63

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Portland Attack (B23), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d3 g6 4. g4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.63).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.634… Bg7 5. h4 h6 6. f4 d6 7. Bh3 h5 8. gxh5 Rxh5 9. f5
  2. −0.594… d6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. f4 h5 7. g5 e6 8. Nf3 Nge7 9. O-O
  3. −0.464… h5 5. gxh5 Rxh5 6. h4 d6 7. Be2 Rh8 8. Bg5 Bg7 9. h5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Portland Attack?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d3 g6 4. g4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black, continuing 5. h4 h6 6. f4 d6 7. Bh3 h5 8. gxh5 Rxh5 9. f5. Black is slightly better (−0.63). The next best moves are 4… d6 (−0.59) and 4… h5 (−0.46).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Portland Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.63: black 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, Portland Attack?
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+).