ECO B20 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2

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

2… Nf6+0.15

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation (B20), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Ne2, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.15).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.152… Nf6 3. Nbc3 d5 4. exd5 Nxd5 5. Nxd5 Qxd5 6. d4 e5 7. dxe5
  2. +0.212… d5 3. exd5 Nf6 4. c4 e6 5. dxe6 Bxe6 6. d3 Nc6 7. Nbc3
  3. +0.312… Nc6 3. Nbc3 Nd4 4. d3 e6 5. Nxd4 cxd4 6. Ne2 Bc5 7. g3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Ne2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black, continuing 3. Nbc3 d5 4. exd5 Nxd5 5. Nxd5 Qxd5 6. d4 e5 7. dxe5. The position is roughly equal (+0.15). The next best moves are 2… d5 (+0.21) and 2… Nc6 (+0.31).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.15: the position is roughly equal. 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: Keres Variation?
B20. 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+).