ECO B20 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack, Queen Fianchetto Variation

1. e4 c5 2. b3 b6

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

3. Bb2+0.41

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack, Queen Fianchetto Variation (B20), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. b3 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Bb2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.413. Bb2 Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd5 6. Nc3 Nxc3 7. dxc3 g6
  2. +0.363. Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Be3 Nf6
  3. +0.313. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bb2 Nf6 6. Qe2 a6 7. e5 Nd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack, Queen Fianchetto Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. b3 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Bb2 for White, continuing Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd5 6. Nc3 Nxc3 7. dxc3 g6. White is slightly better (+0.41). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+0.36) and 3. Nf3 (+0.31).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack, Queen Fianchetto Variation 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: Czerniak Attack, Queen Fianchetto Variation?
B20. 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+).