ECO B29 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6

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

3. e5+0.42

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation (B29), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. e5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.42).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.423. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6 7. c3 cxd4
  2. +0.263. Nc3 d5 4. Bb5+ Bd7 5. e5 Bxb5 6. Nxb5 Qd7 7. Qe2 a6
  3. +0.033. Bd3 Nc6 4. O-O g6 5. c3 Bg7 6. Bc2 O-O 7. d4 d5

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. e5 for White, continuing Nd5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6 7. c3 cxd4. White is slightly better (+0.42). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+0.26) and 3. Bd3 (+0.03).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.42: 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: Nimzowitsch Variation?
B29. 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+).