ECO B71 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. f4 Nbd7

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

7. Be3+0.39

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line (B71), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. f4 Nbd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Be3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.39).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.397. Be3 a6 8. Nb3 Qc7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5
  2. +0.367. Qf3 a6 8. Be3 e5 9. O-O-O exd4 10. Bxd4 Bh6 11. Kb1 O-O
  3. +0.367. Be2 Bg7 8. Be3 a6 9. Qd2 Qc7 10. a4 O-O 11. O-O Nc5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. f4 Nbd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Be3 for White, continuing a6 8. Nb3 Qc7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5. White is slightly better (+0.39). The next best moves are 7. Qf3 (+0.36) and 7. Be2 (+0.36).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.39: 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: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line?
B71. 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+).