ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4 e6

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

4. Nc3+0.58

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4 e6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.58).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.584. Nc3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qc7 7. Nc2 b6 8. f4 Bb7
  2. +0.564. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bc5 7. Nb3 Ba7 8. Nc3 Nf6
  3. +0.424. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Be2 b6 8. Be3 Bb7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4 e6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nc3 for White, continuing Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Qc7 7. Nc2 b6 8. f4 Bb7. White is slightly better (+0.58). The next best moves are 4. Be2 (+0.56) and 4. d4 (+0.42).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.58: 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, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line?
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+).