Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+
3… Bd7+0.10
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation (B51), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Bd7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.10).
Top engine moves
- +0.103… Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. Nc3 e6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. Be3
- +0.203… Nd7 4. c4 e5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Ba4 Ne7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nd5
- +0.443… Nc6 4. O-O a6 5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. e5 dxe5 8. Nxe5
Variations
- Dorfman GambitB511. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Qe2 g6 6. e5
- Moscow GambitB511. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5
- Haag GambitB521. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4
- Main LineB521. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7
- Sokolsky VariationB521. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Bd7 for Black, continuing 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. Nc3 e6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. Be3. The position is roughly equal (+0.10). The next best moves are 3… Nd7 (+0.20) and 3… Nc6 (+0.44).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation 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: Moscow Variation?
B51. 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+).