Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxc6
6… bxc6+0.14
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation (B45), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… bxc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.14).
Top engine moves
- +0.146… bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Be7 9. Qe2 Nd7 10. Re1 Ne5 11. Bf4
- +0.526… dxc6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. e5 Nd5 9. Ne4 f5 10. exf6 gxf6 11. Bd2
- +3.816… Qb6 7. Ne5 Nxe4 8. Nxe4 Qa5+ 9. Nc3 Qxe5+ 10. Qe2 Qxe2+ 11. Bxe2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… bxc6 for Black, continuing 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Be7 9. Qe2 Nd7 10. Re1 Ne5 11. Bf4. The position is roughly equal (+0.14). The next best moves are 6… dxc6 (+0.52) and 6… Qb6 (+3.81).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.14: 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: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation?
B45. 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+).