ECO B29 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Closed Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3

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

3… Nc6+0.43

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Closed Variation (B29), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.43).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.433… Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Bxf6
  2. +0.533… d5 4. Bb5+ Nc6 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. O-O e6 7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8. c4
  3. +0.543… d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Closed Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black, continuing 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Bxf6. White is slightly better (+0.43). The next best moves are 3… d5 (+0.53) and 3… d6 (+0.54).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Closed Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.43: 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, Closed 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+).