ECO B32 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 e6

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

4. d5+1.60

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation (B32), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 e6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.60).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.604. d5 Na5 5. d6 b6 6. e5 Bb7 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Bd3 f6
  2. +0.384. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6
  3. +0.364. c3 cxd4 5. cxd4 d5 6. e5 Nge7 7. Bd3 Nf5 8. Bxf5 exf5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 e6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d5 for White, continuing Na5 5. d6 b6 6. e5 Bb7 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Bd3 f6. White is clearly better (+1.60). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+0.38) and 4. c3 (+0.36).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.60: white is clearly 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: Franco-Sicilian Variation?
B32. 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+).