ECO B23 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6

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

3. Nge2+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional (B23), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nge2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.333. Nge2 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nxc6 dxc6
  2. +0.263. Nf3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd5 Nf6 7. c3 O-O
  3. +0.033. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nf3 a6 5. Bd3 g6 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Ne2 d5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nge2 for White, continuing g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nxc6 dxc6. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 3. Nf3 (+0.26) and 3. Bb5 (+0.03).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: 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, Traditional?
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+).