ECO B54 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Ginsberg Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Bc4

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

5… Nxe4+0.09

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

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Ginsberg Gambit (B54), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Nxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.09).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.095… Nxe4 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Qd5+ e6 9. Qxe4 Bg7 10. Qf3+
  2. +0.145… g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. h3 O-O 8. Bb3 Nc6 9. Be3 Nxd4 10. Bxd4
  3. +0.255… e6 6. Nc3 a6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. Be3 b5 9. f3 Bd7 10. a4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Ginsberg Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Nxe4 for Black, continuing 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Qd5+ e6 9. Qxe4 Bg7 10. Qf3+. The position is roughly equal (+0.09). The next best moves are 5… g6 (+0.14) and 5… e6 (+0.25).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Ginsberg Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.09: 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, Ginsberg Gambit?
B54. 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+).