Openings 1.e4 c5: the Sicilian
Sicilian Moscow Variation (3.Bb5+): Lines and Stats by Rating
3.Bb5+ sidesteps the Najdorf and the Dragon in one move. White develops with check, castles soon and often trades the bishop off, aiming for a calm game with c4, or c3 and d4.
B51Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
Games from this position (1600–1999): 6,448
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 3,885 | ||
| 21% | 1,352 | ||
| 19% | 1,211 |
Plans for both sides
White
- After 3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7, castle and play c4 (a Maróczy-style bind) or c3 and d4.
- After 3...Nd7, keep the bishop: O-O, d4 or c3, and Re1 give you a lead in development.
- After 3...Nc6 you are in a Rossolimo with ...d6: O-O and c3 with d4, or Bxc6+ to double the pawns.
Black
- 3...Bd7 is simple and safe: trade bishops and develop with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...g6 or ...e6.
- 3...Nd7 keeps more pieces on and is the choice of many strong players; watch out for an early d4 and e5.
- After 4.Bxd7+, taking back with the queen leaves c6 free for the knight.
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Sicilian Moscow Variation at each rating
How often the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 701<0.1% | 3...Bd764% | |
| 1200–1599 | 3,268<0.1% | 3...Bd762% | |
| 1600–1999 | 6,4480.1% | 3...Bd760% | |
| 2000+ | 6,7560.3% | 3...Bd754% | |
| All | 17k<0.1% | 3...Bd758% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
White builds a center with c3 and d4; Black develops and meets it with ...cxd4 and ...e6 or ...g6.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.O-O Nc6 6.c3 Nf6 7.d4Pawns on c4 and e4 hold d5: a calm game where White has more space.
107 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 47%, 12% were drawn, Black won 41%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3Black keeps the light-squared bishop. White retreats with Bf1 and plays d4, or c3 and d4.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.O-O Nf6 5.Re1 a6 6.Bf1The same position as the Rossolimo with 3...d6.
65 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 9% were drawn, Black won 42%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nc6 4.O-O Bd7 5.c3 Nf6 6.Re1
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At club level
More than half the players at every rating answer 3.Bb5+ with 3...Bd7, and at 2000+ 3...Nd7 rises to 36%. After 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7, six in ten 2000+ players castle and three in ten play 5.c4.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5
- Closed Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
- Alapin Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.c3
- Smith-Morra Gambit
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
- Rossolimo Attack
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
- Sicilian Najdorf
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6