ECO B54 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line

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

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

5. Nc3+0.47

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line (B54), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.475. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Qd2 Be7 9. f3 b5
  2. +0.075. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Nc3 Bxb5 7. Ndxb5 a6 8. Nd4 e6 9. Be3 Nbd7
  3. +0.055. Qd3 e5 6. Nb3 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Nc3 Bb4 9. Bd2 Nxc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Qd2 Be7 9. f3 b5. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 5. Bb5+ (+0.07) and 5. Qd3 (+0.05).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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, Main Line?
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+).