ECO B32 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6

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

6. c4+0.54

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation (B32), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. c4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.54).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.546. c4 Be7 7. N5c3 Nf6 8. Be2 Nd4 9. O-O a6 10. Na3 Nxe2+
  2. +0.346. N1a3 a6 7. Nc3 b5 8. Nd5 Nf6 9. c4 b4 10. Nc2 Nxe4
  3. +0.306. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5 Nf6 9. c4 b4 10. Nc2 Nxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. c4 for White, continuing Be7 7. N5c3 Nf6 8. Be2 Nd4 9. O-O a6 10. Na3 Nxe2+. White is slightly better (+0.54). The next best moves are 6. N1a3 (+0.34) and 6. N1c3 (+0.30).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.54: 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: Kalashnikov 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+).