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. 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: 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+).