ECO B56 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6. f3+0.72

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation (B56), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. f3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.72).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.726. f3 Qb6 7. Nb3 e6 8. Qe2 a6 9. Be3 Qc7 10. Qf2 b5
  2. +0.626. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nc6 8. Be2 Nf6 9. Be3 g6 10. Qd2 Bg7
  3. +0.576. Be2 Nc6 7. Be3 g6 8. f3 h5 9. a4 Bg7 10. Qd2 O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. f3 for White, continuing Qb6 7. Nb3 e6 8. Qe2 a6 9. Be3 Qc7 10. Qf2 b5. White is slightly better (+0.72). The next best moves are 6. Be3 (+0.62) and 6. Be2 (+0.57).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.72: 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: Kupreichik Variation?
B56. 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+).