ECO B29 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3

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

5. dxc3+0.69

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation (B29), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. dxc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.69).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.695. dxc3 e6 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. h4 b6 8. h5 Bb7 9. Qd2 h6
  2. +0.175. bxc3 d5 6. exd6 Qxd6 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4 g6 9. a4 Bg7
  3. −5.465. e6 Nxd1 6. exf7+ Kxf7 7. Be2 Nc6 8. O-O h6 9. d4 cxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. dxc3 for White, continuing e6 6. Bf4 Nc6 7. h4 b6 8. h5 Bb7 9. Qd2 h6. White is slightly better (+0.69). The next best moves are 5. bxc3 (+0.17) and 5. e6 (−5.46).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.69: 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, Exchange 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+).