ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6

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

3. c4+0.47

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. c4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.473. c4 e6 4. Nc3 b6 5. Be2 Bb7 6. O-O Nc6 7. d4 cxd4
  2. +0.443. Be2 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qe3 g6 7. h3 Bg7
  3. +0.433. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Be2 Nf6 6. Na3 Bg4 7. d3 Nc6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. c4 for White, continuing e6 4. Nc3 b6 5. Be2 Bb7 6. O-O Nc6 7. d4 cxd4. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 3. Be2 (+0.44) and 3. c3 (+0.43).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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: O'Kelly Variation?
B28. 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+).