ECO B27 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Qa5

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

3. Nc3+0.68

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.68).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.683. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nb3 Qc7 7. f4 e5
  2. +0.673. c3 e6 4. Be2 d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. O-O dxc3 7. Nxc3 Nc6
  3. +0.633. Be2 d6 4. O-O Nf6 5. e5 dxe5 6. Nxe5 g6 7. Bf3 Bg7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White, continuing Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nb3 Qc7 7. f4 e5. White is slightly better (+0.68). The next best moves are 3. c3 (+0.67) and 3. Be2 (+0.63).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.68: 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: Mongoose Variation?
B27. 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+).