Openings 1.e4 c5: the Sicilian

Sicilian Kan (4...a6): Maróczy Bind, 5.Bd3 and Stats by Rating

4...a6 is the most flexible move in the Sicilian. It takes b5 away from White’s pieces and keeps every option open: ...Qc7, ...b5, ...Nf6, ...Bc5 or ...d6. Black waits to see White’s setup before choosing a structure.

For Black1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6Seen in 0.1% of rated games

Lichess rating

B41Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation

Games from this position (1600–1999): 11k

Played	Games	White · Draw · Black
54%	5,737	43%53%
15%	1,533	48%48%
10%	1,032	46%51%
5%	530	39%57%
4%	435	43%54%
3%	298	47%47%
3%	282	49%45%
2%	191	37%59%
1%	145	41%54%
0.8%	84	52%44%
0.5%	51	37%63%
0.5%	49	37%61%

Practice as White Practice as Black

Plans for both sides

White

5.Nc3 is the most common move; after 5...Qc7 develop with Bd3 or Be3 and castle.
5.Bd3 covers e4 with a piece and keeps the c-pawn free to go to c4.
5.c4 is the Maróczy Bind: pawns on c4 and e4 grip d5 and leave Black cramped.

Black

...Qc7 covers e5 and c5. Against 5.Nc3 it is the most common reply at every rating.
Against 5.c4 play the Hedgehog: ...Nf6, ...Qc7, ...b6, ...Bb7 and ...d6, then wait for ...b5 or ...d5.
Against 5.Bd3, ...Bc5 or ...Nf6 with ...Qc7 develops quickly.

Sicilian Kan at each rating

How often the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 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	200<0.1%	42%55%	5.Nc345%
1200–1599	2,321<0.1%	46%52%	5.Nc355%
1600–1999	11k0.2%	44%52%	5.Nc354%
2000+	9,2010.5%	47%47%	5.Nc344%
All	22k0.1%	45%50%	5.Nc350%

What usually comes next

The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.

Main variations

The main line. Black can switch to a Taimanov with ...Nc6 or play ...b5 and ...Bb7.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Be3 Nf6 8.O-O
The bishop hits d4 at once; after 6.Nb3 it drops back to e7 or a7.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3 Be7
The Hedgehog: Black stays compact behind pawns on a6, b6, d6 and e6 and waits for ...b5 or ...d5.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Qc7 7.a3 b6 8.Be2 Bb7
Black grabs queenside space at once and puts the bishop on b7.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bd3 Qb6

At club level

The Kan scores well for Black: White averages only about 48% after 4...a6, and about 46% between 1600 and 1999. At 2000+ the Maróczy Bind 5.c4 is White’s second choice (27%), so learn the Hedgehog setup before you play the Kan against strong players.

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.

Practice as Black Practice as White

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