ECO B50 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 b5

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

4. Bxb5++1.18

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit (B50), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Bxb5+ for White. White is clearly better (+1.18).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.184. Bxb5+ Bd7 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. O-O g6 7. e5 Nxe5 8. Nxe5 dxe5
  2. +1.114. d4 cxd4 5. Bxb5+ Bd7 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 a6 8. Be2 Nc6
  3. +0.774. c3 a6 5. a4 bxa4 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nf6 8. Nc3 Bb7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Bxb5+ for White, continuing Bd7 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. O-O g6 7. e5 Nxe5 8. Nxe5 dxe5. White is clearly better (+1.18). The next best moves are 4. d4 (+1.11) and 4. c3 (+0.77).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.18: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit?
B50. 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+).