ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. f4

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

3… Nc6−0.48

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. f4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.483… Nc6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Nxd4 dxe4 6. Be3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Bb5
  2. −0.453… d5 4. Qxd4 e6 5. e5 Nh6 6. Nf3 Nf5 7. Qd1 Qb6 8. Bd3
  3. −0.223… e6 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Bd3 Ne7 6. Nbd2 Nbc6 7. a3 O-O 8. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. f4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black, continuing 4. Nf3 d5 5. Nxd4 dxe4 6. Be3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Bb5. Black is slightly better (−0.48). The next best moves are 3… d5 (−0.45) and 3… e6 (−0.22).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.48: black 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: Halasz Gambit?
B21. 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+).