Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3+0.27
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal (B40), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.27).
Top engine moves
- +0.275. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5
- +0.185. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. O-O d5 8. Nc3 Be7 9. Qf3 O-O
- +0.175. Qd3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Be2 Bc5 8. Nb3 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Qf6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing Nc6 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5. The position is roughly equal (+0.27). The next best moves are 5. Bd3 (+0.18) and 5. Qd3 (+0.17).
Is the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.27: 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: French Variation, Normal?
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+).