ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 Nf6

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

4. e5+0.47

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. e5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.474. e5 Nd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 d6 7. Nc3 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Nc6
  2. +0.234. Bd3 Nc6 5. Bc2 e5 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 cxd4 8. O-O Bc5
  3. +0.124. d3 Nc6 5. g3 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Bg2 Bg4 8. h3 Bf5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. e5 for White, continuing Nd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 d6 7. Nc3 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Nc6. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 4. Bd3 (+0.23) and 4. d3 (+0.12).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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, Barcza 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+).