ECO B70 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Fianchetto Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. g3

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

6… Nc6−0.03

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Fianchetto Variation (B70), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. g3, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Nc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.03).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.036… Nc6 7. h3 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Bg2
  2. +0.126… Bg7 7. h3 Nc6 8. Be3 O-O 9. Bg2 Qa5 10. O-O Nxd4 11. Bxd4
  3. +0.186… Bd7 7. f3 Qb6 8. Be3 Qxb2 9. Ndb5 Bxb5 10. Nxb5 Qb4+ 11. Qd2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Fianchetto Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. g3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Nc6 for Black, continuing 7. h3 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Bg2. The position is roughly equal (−0.03). The next best moves are 6… Bg7 (+0.12) and 6… Bd7 (+0.18).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Fianchetto Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.03: 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, Fianchetto Variation?
B70. 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+).