ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3

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

3… d5+0.45

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.45).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.453… d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Be2 Nc6 6. O-O Nf6 7. Re1 e6 8. d4
  2. +0.533… Nc6 4. d4 d5 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. dxc5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Nf6 8. Ke1
  3. +0.613… e6 4. d4 d5 5. e5 Bd7 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. a3 Nge7 8. b4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black, continuing 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Be2 Nc6 6. O-O Nf6 7. Re1 e6 8. d4. White is slightly better (+0.45). The next best moves are 3… Nc6 (+0.53) and 3… e6 (+0.61).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.45: 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, Venice 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+).