Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4+0.40
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open (B40), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nxd4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.40).
Top engine moves
- +0.404. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 Qc7 7. Be3 b5 8. Nxc6 dxc6
- +0.244. Be2 e5 5. c3 dxc3 6. Nxc3 Nc6 7. Nd5 d6 8. b4 Nf6
- +0.104. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd3 Qc7 6. Nc3 a6 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 Nf6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nxd4 for White, continuing Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 Qc7 7. Be3 b5 8. Nxc6 dxc6. White is slightly better (+0.40). The next best moves are 4. Be2 (+0.24) and 4. Qxd4 (+0.10).
Is the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.40: 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, Open?
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+).