ECO B20 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation

1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3

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

3… d5−0.48

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation (B20), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.483… d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 e6 6. axb4 Bxb4 7. Nc3 Qd8 8. Rb1
  2. −0.423… e5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bb2 Nf6 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. Nf3 Qxe4+ 8. Be2
  3. −0.363… bxa3 4. Nxa3 e6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Nb5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d5 for Black, continuing 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 e6 6. axb4 Bxb4 7. Nc3 Qd8 8. Rb1. Black is slightly better (−0.48). The next best moves are 3… e5 (−0.42) and 3… bxa3 (−0.36).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.48: 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: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation?
B20. 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+).