ECO B20 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation

1. e4 c5 2. g4

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

2… d5−0.86

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation (B20), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. g4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.86).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.862… d5 3. d3 Nc6 4. Bg2 dxe4 5. Bxe4 Nf6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. g5
  2. −0.602… Nc6 3. Bg2 d6 4. d3 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. f4 h5 7. g5
  3. −0.562… e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Ne2 d5 5. Ng3 h5 6. Nxh5 g6 7. Ng3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. g4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black, continuing 3. d3 Nc6 4. Bg2 dxe4 5. Bxe4 Nf6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. g5. Black is clearly better (−0.86). The next best moves are 2… Nc6 (−0.60) and 2… e6 (−0.56).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.86: Black is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation?
B20. 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+).