ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Taimanov Line

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5

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

5. Nf3+0.30

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Taimanov Line (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.30).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.305. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bc4 h6 7. O-O Qc7 8. Qd3 Bc5 9. Nc3 d6
  2. +0.285. Nb3 Nf6 6. Bg5 d5 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. exd5 Bf5 9. Nc3 Bb4
  3. +0.115. Ne2 Nf6 6. Nbc3 Bc5 7. Ng3 d6 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Nc6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Taimanov Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White, continuing Nf6 6. Bc4 h6 7. O-O Qc7 8. Qd3 Bc5 9. Nc3 d6. White is slightly better (+0.30). The next best moves are 5. Nb3 (+0.28) and 5. Ne2 (+0.11).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Taimanov Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.30: 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, Normal System, Taimanov 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+).