ECO B50 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6

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

4. Nc3+0.38

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order (B50), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.38).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.384. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be2 Be6
  2. +0.354. Bb5+ Bd7 5. Bxd7+ Qxd7 6. dxc5 Nxe4 7. cxd6 Nxd6 8. O-O Nc6
  3. +0.204. dxc5 Nxe4 5. cxd6 Nc6 6. dxe7 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Bxe7 8. Be3 O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nc3 for White, continuing cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be2 Be6. White is slightly better (+0.38). The next best moves are 4. Bb5+ (+0.35) and 4. dxc5 (+0.20).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.38: 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: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order?
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+).