ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Aronin System

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. Be2

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

3… Nc6+0.38

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Aronin System (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. Be2, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.38).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.383… Nc6 4. O-O Nf6 5. e5 Ng4 6. b4 d6 7. bxc5 dxe5 8. Bb2
  2. +0.423… d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nf6 6. O-O Nc6 7. Qe3 Bg4 8. Rd1
  3. +0.463… e6 4. c4 b6 5. Nc3 Bb7 6. O-O Qc7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Aronin System?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. Be2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nc6 for Black, continuing 4. O-O Nf6 5. e5 Ng4 6. b4 d6 7. bxc5 dxe5 8. Bb2. White is slightly better (+0.38). The next best moves are 3… d6 (+0.42) and 3… e6 (+0.46).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Aronin System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.38: 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, Aronin System?
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+).