ECO B21 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3

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

3… e5+0.10

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

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit (B21), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… e5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.10).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.103… e5 4. c3 Nc6 5. cxd4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Nxc6
  2. +0.303… Nc6 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3
  3. +0.343… a6 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd3 Qc7 6. c4 e6 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. Be2

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… e5 for Black, continuing 4. c3 Nc6 5. cxd4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Nxc6. The position is roughly equal (+0.10). The next best moves are 3… Nc6 (+0.30) and 3… a6 (+0.34).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.10: 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: Morphy Gambit?
B21. 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+).