ECO B50 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order Accepted

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxc5 Nxe4

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

5. cxd6+0.16

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order Accepted (B50), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxc5 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. cxd6 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.16).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.165. cxd6 Nc6 6. dxe7 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Bxe7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Nbd2 Rd8
  2. −0.025. Bb5+ Nc6 6. cxd6 Qa5+ 7. Nfd2 Bd7 8. Bd3 Nxd6 9. O-O g6
  3. −0.165. Be3 Nxc5 6. Bxc5 dxc5 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. Nc3 e6 9. O-O-O+ Nd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order Accepted?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxc5 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. cxd6 for White, continuing Nc6 6. dxe7 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Bxe7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Nbd2 Rd8. The position is roughly equal (+0.16). The next best moves are 5. Bb5+ (−0.02) and 5. Be3 (−0.16).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order Accepted a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.16: the position is roughly equal. 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 Accepted?
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+).