ECO B33 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5

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

9. Bxf6+0.41

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation (B33), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. Bxf6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.41).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.419. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Kxe7 13. O-O d5
  2. +0.209. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Rb8 12. Nc2 Bg5 13. a3 Ne7
  3. −0.039. Nab1 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. a4 b4 12. Nd5 O-O 13. Bc4 Bg5

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. Bxf6 for White, continuing gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Kxe7 13. O-O d5. White is slightly better (+0.41). The next best moves are 9. Nd5 (+0.20) and 9. Nab1 (−0.03).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.41: 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: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation?
B33. 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+).