ECO B47 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Ndb5 Qb8 7. Be3 a6 8. Bb6

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

8… axb5−0.44

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit (B47), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Ndb5 Qb8 7. Be3 a6 8. Bb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… axb5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.448… axb5 9. Nxb5 Bb4+ 10. c3 Ba5 11. Nc7+ Qxc7 12. Bxc7 Bxc7 13. Bb5
  2. +3.928… Be7 9. Bc7 axb5 10. Bxb8 Rxb8 11. Bxb5 Nf6 12. O-O O-O 13. a4
  3. +4.138… Bb4 9. Bc7 axb5 10. Bxb8 Rxb8 11. a3 Ba5 12. b4 Bb6 13. Bxb5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Ndb5 Qb8 7. Be3 a6 8. Bb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… axb5 for Black, continuing 9. Nxb5 Bb4+ 10. c3 Ba5 11. Nc7+ Qxc7 12. Bxc7 Bxc7 13. Bb5. Black is slightly better (−0.44). The next best moves are 8… Be7 (+3.92) and 8… Bb4 (+4.13).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.44: 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: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit?
B47. 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+).