ECO B40 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: French Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6

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

3. Nc3+0.36

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: French Variation (B40), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.36).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.363. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bf4 d6 7. Ndb5 e5
  2. +0.363. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 d6 7. Ndb5 e5
  3. +0.263. Be2 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bf4 d6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: French Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White, continuing Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bf4 d6 7. Ndb5 e5. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 3. d4 (+0.36) and 3. Be2 (+0.26).
Is the Sicilian Defense: French Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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: French Variation?
B40. 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+).