Chess opening · ECO B20

Sicilian Defense

The Sicilian Defense starts 1. e4 c5. It ranks #4 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 c5. White to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... c5Black pushes the c-pawn two squares to c5.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Nf3 is the most popular next move in every rating band.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200Nf3 31%Bc4 18%d4 12%
1200–1399Nf3 36%Bc4 19%d4 11%
1400–1599Nf3 45%Bc4 19%d4 8%
1600–1799Nf3 54%Bc4 12%f4 9%
1800–1999Nf3 60%Nc3 9%f4 7%
2000 and upNf3 66%Nc3 9%d4 8%

Related openings

King's Pawn GameThe line this one grows fromSicilian Defense: Old SicilianA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: Modern VariationsA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: Bowdler AttackA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: French VariationA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: Smith-Morra GambitA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: ClosedA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: Alapin VariationA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: McDonnell AttackA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: Wing GambitA variation of this lineModern Defense: Pterodactyl VariationA variation of this line

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