Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3
5… Qc7+0.36
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation (B43), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Qc7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.36).
Top engine moves
- +0.365… Qc7 6. Qf3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. O-O-O Nc6 9. Be2 d6 10. Nxc6
- +0.375… Nc6 6. Bf4 d6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Qd2 Be7 9. Bg3 Nf6 10. e5
- +0.385… b5 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nxc6 Bxc6 9. Re1 Bc5 10. a4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Qc7 for Black, continuing 6. Qf3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. O-O-O Nc6 9. Be2 d6 10. Nxc6. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 5… Nc6 (+0.37) and 5… b5 (+0.38).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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, Knight Variation?
B43. 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+).