ECO B44 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 d5

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

9. exd5+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit (B44), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. exd5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.449. exd5 exd5 10. cxd5 Nb4 11. Bc4 Bd6 12. Qe2+ Qe7 13. O-O Qxe2
  2. +0.449. cxd5 exd5 10. exd5 Nb4 11. Bc4 Bd6 12. Qe2+ Qe7 13. O-O Qxe2
  3. −0.779. Bd3 dxc4 10. Nxc4 b5 11. Ne3 Bb7 12. O-O h5 13. h3 Qc7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. exd5 for White, continuing exd5 10. cxd5 Nb4 11. Bc4 Bd6 12. Qe2+ Qe7 13. O-O Qxe2. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 9. cxd5 (+0.44) and 9. Bd3 (−0.77).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: 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: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit?
B44. 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+).