Chess opening · ECO B30

Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian

The Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian starts 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6. It ranks #20 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6. 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.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.

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. d4 is the most popular next move in every rating band.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200d4 31%Bc4 21%Nc3 18%
1200–1399d4 36%Bc4 22%Bb5 12%
1400–1599d4 40%Bc4 20%Bb5 12%
1600–1799d4 49%Bc4 16%Bb5 11%
1800–1999d4 56%Bb5 12%Bc4 10%
2000 and upd4 55%Bb5 23%Nc3 6%

Related openings

Sicilian DefenseThe line this one grows fromSicilian Defense: OpenA variation of this lineSicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo AttackA variation of this line

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