ECO B28 · Sicilian Defense

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

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d6

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. d4+0.68

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Steiner Line (B28), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.68).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.684. d4 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bg4 6. d5 Nbd7 7. Nbd2 e6 8. dxe6 fxe6
  2. +0.334. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 Qc7 6. d3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 Nc6
  3. +0.334. Be2 Nf6 5. O-O Bd7 6. d3 e6 7. Nbd2 Be7 8. Re1 O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Steiner Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing Nf6 5. Bd3 Bg4 6. d5 Nbd7 7. Nbd2 e6 8. dxe6 fxe6. White is slightly better (+0.68). The next best moves are 4. g3 (+0.33) and 4. Be2 (+0.33).
Is the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Steiner Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.68: 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, Steiner 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+).