ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation

1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3

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

3… d4−0.49

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.49).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.493… d4 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. Nb1 d3 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. O-O
  2. −0.143… dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 7. d3 g6 8. Nf3
  3. −0.143… e6 4. Nf3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nc6 6. c3 f5 7. Nf2 Bd6 8. g3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d4 for Black, continuing 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. Nb1 d3 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. O-O. Black is slightly better (−0.49). The next best moves are 3… dxe4 (−0.14) and 3… e6 (−0.14).
Is the Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.49: black 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: McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation?
B21. 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+).