ECO B32 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6

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

5. Nb3+0.51

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation (B32), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nb3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.51).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.515. Nb3 Nf6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Be3 Qd8 8. Qd3 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O
  2. +0.315. Nb5 Nf6 6. Be3 Qd8 7. N1c3 a6 8. Nd4 e5 9. Nde2 d6
  3. +0.275. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Bd3 d6 8. Be3 Qc7 9. Nb5 Qd8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nb3 for White, continuing Nf6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Be3 Qd8 8. Qd3 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O. White is slightly better (+0.51). The next best moves are 5. Nb5 (+0.31) and 5. Nf3 (+0.27).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.51: 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: Godiva 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+).