Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5
6. Nb3+0.39
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation (B42), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Nb3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.39).
Top engine moves
- +0.396. Nb3 Ba7 7. Nc3 d6 8. Qe2 Nc6 9. Be3 Nf6 10. O-O-O b5
- +0.296. Be3 d6 7. c3 Nf6 8. O-O e5 9. Nc2 O-O 10. a4 Bg4
- +0.296. c3 d6 7. Be3 Nf6 8. O-O O-O 9. a4 e5 10. Nc2 Bg4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Nb3 for White, continuing Ba7 7. Nc3 d6 8. Qe2 Nc6 9. Be3 Nf6 10. O-O-O b5. White is slightly better (+0.39). The next best moves are 6. Be3 (+0.29) and 6. c3 (+0.29).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky 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, Polugaevsky Variation?
B42. 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+).