Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 Nc6 9. Nb3
9… a6−0.07
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line (B74), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 Nc6 9. Nb3, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… a6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.07).
Top engine moves
- −0.079… a6 10. Qd2 b5 11. f3 Be6 12. Rad1 Qb8 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5
- −0.029… Be6 10. Qe1 a6 11. f4 b5 12. Bf3 b4 13. Nd5 Nd7 14. Nxb4
- +0.079… Re8 10. Kh1 a6 11. f4 b5 12. Bf3 Bb7 13. e5 dxe5 14. fxe5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 Nc6 9. Nb3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… a6 for Black, continuing 10. Qd2 b5 11. f3 Be6 12. Rad1 Qb8 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5. The position is roughly equal (−0.07). The next best moves are 9… Be6 (−0.02) and 9… Re8 (+0.07).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.07: 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: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line?
B74. 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+).