ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. b3

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

3… d6+0.14

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. b3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.14).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.143… d6 4. Nc3 e5 5. a4 Be7 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. d3 O-O 8. h3
  2. +0.163… Nc6 4. Bb2 e6 5. c4 Nf6 6. e5 Ng4 7. h3 Nh6 8. Bd3
  3. +0.173… e6 4. c4 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. exd5 Nf6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. Bb2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. b3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d6 for Black, continuing 4. Nc3 e5 5. a4 Be7 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. d3 O-O 8. h3. The position is roughly equal (+0.14). The next best moves are 3… Nc6 (+0.16) and 3… e6 (+0.17).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.14: the position is roughly equal. 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, Kieseritzky 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+).