Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4
3… Nxb4−0.54
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit (B30), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nxb4 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.54).
Top engine moves
- −0.543… Nxb4 4. c3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 e6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O
- −0.273… cxb4 4. d4 e6 5. a3 d5 6. e5 Qa5 7. Bd3 Bd7 8. O-O
- −0.143… e5 4. b5 Nd4 5. c3 Nxf3+ 6. Qxf3 d5 7. exd5 Nf6 8. c4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nxb4 for Black, continuing 4. c3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 e6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O. Black is slightly better (−0.54). The next best moves are 3… cxb4 (−0.27) and 3… e5 (−0.14).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.54: black 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: Portsmouth Gambit?
B30. 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+).