ECO B27 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e5

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

3. Nxe5+1.58

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.58).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.583. Nxe5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bc4 O-O 6. d3 Nc6 7. Nf3 d6
  2. +0.743. Bc4 Nc6 4. O-O Be7 5. c3 Nf6 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 d6
  3. +0.513. c3 Nc6 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Ng5 d5 6. exd5 Na5 7. Bb5+ Bd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White, continuing Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bc4 O-O 6. d3 Nc6 7. Nf3 d6. White is clearly better (+1.58). The next best moves are 3. Bc4 (+0.74) and 3. c3 (+0.51).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.58: white is clearly 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: Jalalabad Variation?
B27. 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+).