ECO B20 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening

1. e4 c5 2. Ke2

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

2… Nf6−0.86

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening (B20), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Ke2, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.86).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.862… Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Ke1 e6 5. Bb5 Nd4 6. Ba4
  2. −0.852… Nc6 3. Ke1 Nf6 4. Nc3 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Bb5 g6 7. d3
  3. −0.732… e6 3. Ke1 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. a4 Nf6 6. e5 a6 7. c3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Ke2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black, continuing 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Ke1 e6 5. Bb5 Nd4 6. Ba4. Black is clearly better (−0.86). The next best moves are 2… Nc6 (−0.85) and 2… e6 (−0.73).
Is the Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.86: black is clearly 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: King David's Opening?
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+).