ECO B41 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6

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

5. c4+0.39

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation (B41), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. c4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.39).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.395. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Nc2 Be7 8. Be3 b6 9. Bd3 Bb7
  2. +0.375. Qf3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Be2 Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Qg3 d6
  3. +0.315. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Ba7 7. Qe2 d6 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Be3 Bxe3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. c4 for White, continuing Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Nc2 Be7 8. Be3 b6 9. Bd3 Bb7. White is slightly better (+0.39). The next best moves are 5. Qf3 (+0.37) and 5. Bd3 (+0.31).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.39: 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: Kan Variation?
B41. 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+).