ECO B32 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5

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

5. Nb5+0.48

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation (B32), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nb5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.485. Nb5 a6 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7. Qxd6 Qe7 8. Qd2 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O
  2. +0.205. Nb3 Nf6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. a3 a5 9. Nc3 a4
  3. +0.135. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Qh5 Qc7 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bc4 g6 9. Qh4 Bg7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nb5 for White, continuing a6 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7. Qxd6 Qe7 8. Qd2 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.48). The next best moves are 5. Nb3 (+0.20) and 5. Nxc6 (+0.13).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.48: 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: Löwenthal Variation?
B32. 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+).