ECO B83 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Nf6

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

7. Qd3+0.35

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation (B83), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Qd3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.35).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.357. Qd3 Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. Be3 Ne5 10. Qd2 a6 11. O-O-O Neg4
  2. +0.347. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 e5 9. Nf3 O-O 10. O-O Ng4 11. Nd5 Nxe3
  3. +0.327. a3 Be7 8. Qd3 O-O 9. Be3 e5 10. Nb3 Ng4 11. Bd2 a5

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. f4 Nc6 9. Be3
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. f4 Nc6 9. Be3 Bd7 10. Nb3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Qd3 for White, continuing Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. Be3 Ne5 10. Qd2 a6 11. O-O-O Neg4. White is slightly better (+0.35). The next best moves are 7. Be3 (+0.34) and 7. a3 (+0.32).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.35: 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: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation?
B83. 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+).