ECO B32 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Open

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4

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

3… cxd4+0.43

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Open (B32), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… cxd4 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.43).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.433… cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8. Qxg4
  2. +0.713… Nxd4 4. Nxd4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 e6 6. Nc3 a6 7. Bf4 b5 8. O-O-O
  3. +0.963… d6 4. d5 Nb8 5. Bb5+ Nd7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Re1 a6 8. Bf1

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Open?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… cxd4 for Black, continuing 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8. Qxg4. White is slightly better (+0.43). The next best moves are 3… Nxd4 (+0.71) and 3… d6 (+0.96).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Open a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.43: 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: Open?
B32. 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+).