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Analyzer

Sicilian Defense

315 variations · 207M games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Key Finding

Sicilian Defense is balanced for Black at 49.4% expected score.

This opening produces roughly even results, with outcomes depending more on middlegame play than opening choice.

You play
Playable
Rating
Time
Black Expected Score0.0%Range (90% confident): 49.4% – 49.4%Aggregated from 315 variations
0%49.4%100%
Range (90% confident): 49.4% – 49.4%
ContextOverall · n=207M
Outcome Distribution
47.4%4.0%48.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
3...cxd4
Sicilian Defense
Variations315
Games (Context)207M
Avg Length34 moves
Draw Rate4.0%

What Should I Play?

Player-controlled continuations for Black · Overall

#1Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Siberian Variation, Siberian TrapTop Pick
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Qc7 7.Qe2 Nf6 8.O-O Ng4
Min adv +22.9% · n=15K
62.1%
#2Sicilian Defense: Kveinis Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6
Min adv +15.8% · n=113K
58.2%
#3Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Be7 8.Qf3 h6 9.Bh4 g5
Min adv +13.2% · n=4.2K
57.9%
#4Sicilian Defense: Gaw-Paw Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Qb6
Min adv +12.4% · n=12K
57.0%
#5Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Scheveningen Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.O-O Nbd7
Min adv +7.7% · n=7.8K
54.8%
#6Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Larsen Defense
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Qc7 7.Qe2 a6 8.O-O Bd6
Min adv +7.0% · n=3.9K
54.8%
#7Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5
Min adv +6.9% · n=417K
53.6%
#8Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6
Min adv +6.4% · n=527K
53.3%
#9Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
Min adv +6.2% · n=1.1M
53.2%
#10Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 b5
Min adv +5.1% · n=13K
53.3%

Continuations show the most common variations from this opening. Higher expected scores indicate better statistical outcomes, but familiarity and playstyle matter too.

What is the Sicilian Defense expected score for Black?

Snapshot

Overall, the Sicilian Defense family has a 49.4% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 49.4% and 49.4%), aggregated from 315 variations and 207M Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 50% → 41%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 50.4% win rate (3,989,880 games)
  • 1000-1199: 49.3% win rate (9,484,353 games)
  • 1200-1399: 49.0% win rate (19,190,081 games)
  • 1400-1599: 48.6% win rate (32,442,084 games)
  • 1600-1799: 47.9% win rate (44,478,530 games)
  • 1800-1999: 47.1% win rate (46,522,540 games)
  • 2000-2199: 46.2% win rate (31,126,030 games)
  • 2200-2499: 44.4% win rate (16,877,299 games)
  • 2500+: 40.5% win rate (3,190,652 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Similar across time controls (~50%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 49.6% win rate (309,359 games)
  • Bullet: 48.0% win rate (71,002,892 games)
  • Blitz: 47.0% win rate (107,485,119 games)
  • Rapid: 47.3% win rate (27,419,516 games)
  • Classical: 48.3% win rate (1,084,563 games)

Rating vs Time Control Matrix

Click cells to filter · Black expected scores

Black% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
0-999
1000-1199
1200-1399
1400-1599
1600-1799
1800-1999
2000-2199
2200-2499
2500+

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

  • 0-999 rating, UltraBullet: 57.5% expected score (12,075 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 52.9% expected score (1,309,362 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 51.4% expected score (1,912,799 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 51.2% expected score (748,996 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 54.0% expected score (6,648 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 51.4% expected score (30,226 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 51.1% expected score (3,278,731 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 50.3% expected score (4,609,382 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 50.8% expected score (1,537,721 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 53.2% expected score (28,293 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 51.6% expected score (55,744 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 50.7% expected score (6,254,903 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 50.2% expected score (9,743,271 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 50.6% expected score (3,045,699 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 53.6% expected score (90,464 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 52.3% expected score (82,744 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 50.4% expected score (9,971,394 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (17,042,872 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 50.8% expected score (5,101,574 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 54.2% expected score (243,500 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 48.4% expected score (70,096 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 49.8% expected score (13,024,646 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 49.6% expected score (24,323,117 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (6,707,209 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 51.4% expected score (353,462 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 46.9% expected score (38,003 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 49.3% expected score (14,045,725 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 49.2% expected score (25,882,121 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 49.4% expected score (6,298,722 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 49.9% expected score (257,969 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 44.6% expected score (14,062 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 49.0% expected score (11,782,426 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 48.4% expected score (16,142,044 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 48.2% expected score (3,101,740 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 46.6% expected score (85,758 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 46.6% expected score (5,529 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 48.0% expected score (8,942,478 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 46.5% expected score (7,080,053 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 45.1% expected score (833,634 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 42.2% expected score (15,605 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 41.9% expected score (880 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 45.5% expected score (2,393,227 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 43.1% expected score (749,460 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 40.3% expected score (44,221 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 40.6% expected score (2,864 games)

Matrix view reveals how performance varies across rating brackets and time controls. Green indicates favorable, red indicates challenging contexts.

Variations (315)

1
Sicilian Defense: Amazon Attack21K games
66.3%
2
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Siberian Variation, Siberian Trap15K games
62.1%
3
Sicilian Defense: Yates Variation11K games
61.8%
Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening21K games
60.2%
Sicilian Defense: Kveinis Variation113K games
58.2%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation4.2K games
57.9%
Sicilian Defense: Gaw-Paw Variation12K games
57.0%
Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation19K games
55.5%
Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation27K games
54.6%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Scheveningen Variation7.8K games
54.8%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation51K games
54.0%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Larsen Defense3.9K games
54.8%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit, Chicago Defense3.1K games
55.0%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack417K games
53.6%
Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation32K games
53.8%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation527K games
53.3%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation1.1M games
53.2%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation1.4M games
53.0%
Sicilian Defense: Coles Sicilian Gambit6.0K games
54.0%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation13K games
53.3%
Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation313K games
52.7%
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack192K games
52.7%
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation375K games
52.6%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, English Attack, Anti-English65K games
52.8%
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order Accepted49K games
52.8%
Sicilian Defense: Paulsen-Basman Defense475K games
52.4%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation1.1M games
52.2%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon751K games
52.2%
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation1.3M games
52.1%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Taimanov Formation18K games
52.6%
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Ginsberg Gambit81K games
52.3%
Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal504K games
52.1%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, American Attack31K games
52.5%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System587K games
52.1%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation393K games
52.0%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Exchange Variation9.3K games
52.8%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Sosonko Variation9.4K games
52.6%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Santasiere Variation2.8K games
53.3%
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line1.1M games
51.8%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Breyer Variation44K games
52.0%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Alapin Formation105K games
51.9%
Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation313K games
51.7%
Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack, Tal Gambit104K games
51.8%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense11K games
52.3%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, San Francisco Gambit722 games
54.6%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Deferred Variation134K games
51.7%
Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a470K games
51.9%
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Cobra Variation33K games
51.8%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Classical Formation80K games
51.6%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation248K games
51.4%
Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation, Jaffe Variation8.6K games
52.1%
Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with h443K games
51.6%
Sicilian Defense: Boleslavsky Variation, Louma Variation6.2K games
52.2%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation32K games
51.6%
Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack18M games
51.1%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line1.6K games
53.2%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, Kantscher Line806 games
54.0%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation286K games
51.2%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Retreat Variation397K games
51.3%
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Leonhardt Variation148K games
51.3%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Bronstein Variation14K games
51.8%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation447K games
51.1%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation281K games
51.0%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Taimanov Line187K games
50.9%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation373K games
50.8%
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation1.1M games
50.8%
Sicilian Defense: French Variation7.1M games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Anti-Sozin Variation38K games
51.1%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation45K games
51.1%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation3.3M games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation2.5M games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Old Line67K games
51.0%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation, Traditional Line31K games
51.1%
Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Pterodactyl943K games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Zagorovsky Line64K games
50.9%
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation476K games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack1.1M games
50.6%
Sicilian Defense: Kopec System41K games
50.9%
Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon2.2M games
50.5%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation326K games
50.6%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, English Attack180K games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Browne Variation9.8K games
51.3%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Simagin Variation206 games
56.0%
Sicilian Defense: Brussels Gambit41K games
50.7%
Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Fianchetto1.4M games
50.4%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Exchange Variation213K games
50.5%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with d660K games
50.6%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Dekker Gambit3.6K games
51.6%
Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open1.2M games
50.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Alekhine Line3.0K games
51.6%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Maróczy Line1.3K games
52.3%
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations8.6M games
50.1%
Sicilian Defense: Staunton-Cochrane Variation2.3M games
50.0%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation1.9M games
50.0%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Vitolins Variation23K games
50.5%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Dragon Variation39K games
50.4%
Sicilian Defense: Boleslavsky Variation60K games
50.2%
Sicilian Defense: Drazic Variation589K games
49.9%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation492K games
49.9%
Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack9.0M games
49.8%
Sicilian Defense14M games
49.7%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Accelerated Dragon304K games
49.9%
Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation3.4M games
49.7%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Battery Variation38K games
50.1%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Lipnitsky Attack741K games
49.7%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit338 games
54.0%
Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian18M games
49.6%
Sicilian Defense: Snyder Variation931K games
49.6%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation418K games
49.7%
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Sozin Attack192K games
49.6%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation270K games
49.5%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Swiss Cheese Variation4.3K games
50.6%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit8.3M games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Yerevan System373K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation549K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Modern Variation34K games
49.7%
Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation86K games
49.5%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, English Attack860K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit1.2M games
49.2%
Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit106K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Flohr Variation100K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation152K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line113K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, English Attack, with Qd256K games
49.5%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Matanovic Attack31K games
49.6%
Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack248K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Pterodactyl, Exchange Variation16K games
49.7%
Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit377K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf658K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Bc4 Variation430K games
49.1%
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Main Line17K games
49.6%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional5.8M games
49.0%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Pin Defense262K games
49.1%
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order158K games
49.2%
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation77K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Fianchetto Variation9.7K games
49.8%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation8.2K games
49.9%
Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation547K games
49.0%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation, Modern Line43K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer4.9K games
50.1%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line4.8K games
50.1%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation41K games
49.3%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined950K games
48.9%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Abrahams Variation64K games
49.1%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Scheveningen Formation315K games
49.0%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Cortlever Gambit18K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation327K games
48.9%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Chicago Defense20K games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation1.5M games
48.8%
Sicilian Defense: Euwe Attack, Prins Gambit33K games
49.1%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Zagreb Variation81K games
49.0%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation327K games
48.8%
Sicilian Defense: Snyder Variation, Queen Fianchetto Variation9.2K games
49.5%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation383K games
48.7%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Fianchetto Variation32K games
49.1%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Early Deviations23K games
49.2%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Kan Formation222K games
48.7%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation379K games
48.7%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Wing Gambit15K games
49.2%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System23K games
49.1%
Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation, Koch Variation55K games
48.8%
Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation135K games
48.7%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation2.2K games
50.2%
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, with e62.7M games
48.5%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Czerniak Variation24K games
49.0%
Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation32K games
48.9%
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation20K games
48.9%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Podebrady Variation3.4K games
49.8%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation857K games
48.4%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack, Fianchetto Variation16K games
49.0%
Sicilian Defense: Closed12M games
48.3%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, with Nge222K games
48.8%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation33K games
48.8%
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Flank Variation58K games
48.5%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Main Line1.1M games
48.3%
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Closed Variation360K games
48.3%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation49K games
48.5%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Bird Variation25K games
48.6%
Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation911K games
48.1%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Quiet System63K games
48.3%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Deferred508K games
48.1%
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower616K games
48.1%
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, with d63.0M games
48.0%
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind657K games
48.0%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation9.3M games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation1.1M games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation138K games
48.1%
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Main Line34K games
48.3%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Aronin System31K games
48.3%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line1.1K games
50.3%
Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation409K games
48.0%
Sicilian Defense: Open6.6M games
47.8%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation445K games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Carlsbad Variation309K games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit Deferred153K games
48.0%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack4.5M games
47.8%
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation242K games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack2.1M games
47.7%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack225K games
47.8%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, English Attack, with f3246K games
47.7%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Normal Variation1.5M games
47.5%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack952K games
47.6%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Wing Formation18K games
48.1%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense966K games
47.6%
Sicilian Defense: Heidenfeld Variation1.2K games
49.9%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Siberian Variation33K games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Brooklyn Retreat Defense6.2K games
48.5%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Amsterdam Variation125K games
47.6%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation1.4K games
49.6%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation1.2M games
47.4%
Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation80K games
47.6%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System247K games
47.4%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Gambit Line7.9K games
48.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack286K games
47.4%
Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Variation, Brooklyn Retreat Defense13K games
47.9%
Sicilian Defense: Spielmann Variation3.3K games
48.7%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line23K games
47.7%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Dubois Variation47K games
47.5%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Sokolsky Variation73K games
47.3%
Sicilian Defense: Marshall Gambit798K games
47.1%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Korchnoi Defense129K games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation26K games
47.5%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Steiner Line136K games
47.1%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted22K games
47.5%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit, Danish Variation71K games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Big Clamp Formation29K games
47.3%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Robatsch Line26K games
47.4%
Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation409K games
47.0%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Danish Variation35K games
47.3%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense42K games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: L��wenthal Variation414 games
50.9%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Ljubojevic Line34K games
47.3%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Grigoriev Variation36K games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Traditional Line54K games
47.0%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Novosibirsk Variation58K games
47.0%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind55K games
47.0%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line24K games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Early Deviations52K games
46.8%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Chameleon Variation168K games
46.6%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Modern Line438K games
46.5%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted2.6M games
46.4%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack59K games
46.7%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Modern Line114K games
46.5%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Smith-Morra Line48K games
46.5%
Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation280K games
46.3%
Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit462K games
46.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Byrne Variation1.6K games
48.1%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense Deferred4.9K games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Panov Variation63K games
46.3%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Réti System36K games
46.3%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Main Line106K games
46.1%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation44K games
46.3%
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line21K games
46.4%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Amsterdam Variation37K games
46.1%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation1.0K games
48.2%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack, Spraggett Attack708 games
48.7%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Szén Variation172K games
45.7%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Grob Attack9.8K games
46.3%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation, Simagin Line1.3K games
47.7%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack2.4K games
47.0%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense32K games
45.8%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense283K games
45.3%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation536K games
45.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Belezky Line142K games
45.4%
Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation1.3M games
45.2%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Sherzer Variation95K games
45.3%
Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit, Andreaschek Gambit118K games
45.1%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Tartakower Line919 games
47.5%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, with f413K games
45.5%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Romanian Defense304 games
49.4%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit12K games
45.2%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Delayed Keres Attack16K games
45.1%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation4.8K games
45.6%
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Freak Attack69K games
44.7%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation90K games
44.6%
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation4.7K games
45.5%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Keres Attack45K games
44.5%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Lutikov Gambit5.1K games
45.2%
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation293 games
48.8%
Sicilian Defense: Gloria Variation410 games
47.7%
Sicilian Defense: Velimirovic Attack8.0K games
44.5%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation74K games
43.9%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Milner-Barry Attack9.3K games
44.4%
Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense853 games
45.8%
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation15K games
43.3%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Delayed Keres Attack, Perenyi Gambit831 games
45.4%
Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation367K games
42.6%
Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack, Schofman Variation30K games
42.8%
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation897 games
44.4%
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Double Gambit16K games
41.9%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line3.9K games
42.2%
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Nanu Gambit158 games
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Sozin Formation7.9K games
41.3%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Main Line109K games
40.6%
Sicilian Defense: Venice Attack21K games
40.9%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit6.6K games
41.3%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Gurgenidze Variation2.8K games
41.7%
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit1.1K games
42.6%
Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation35K games
40.2%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line408 games
43.4%
Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation, Venice Attack8.5K games
40.2%
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Tal Variation2.2K games
40.7%
Sicilian Defense: Double-Dutch Gambit217 games
44.5%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange514K games
38.5%
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Peresypkin's Sacrifice6.7K games
39.3%
Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit41K games
38.6%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Smyslov Variation2.6K games
39.8%
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit3.4K games
39.2%
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation186 games
42.8%
Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit236 games
42.0%
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Gambit14K games
37.4%
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Totsky Attack743 games
39.1%
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge Variation2.5K games
33.6%
Sicilian Defense: Magnus Smith Trap13K games
32.5%
Sicilian Defense: Frederico Variation101 games
31.5%
Analyze Sicilian Defense PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sicilian Defense win rate?

The Sicilian Defense family has a 48.7% (90% CI: 48.6%-48.7%) win rate for white, aggregated from 315 variations and 207M rated games from Lichess.

How many Sicilian Defense variations are there?

This analysis covers 315 Sicilian Defense variations with sufficient game data. Each variation has its own statistics page with detailed win rates by rating and time control.

At what rating does the Sicilian Defense perform best?

The Sicilian Defense family performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 50.8% win rate for white (3.2M games). Performance may vary by specific variation.

Is the Sicilian Defense better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (49.1%) outperforms Classical (45.6%) by 3.5% across all Sicilian Defense variations.

How sharp is the Sicilian Defense?

Sicilian Defense games are 96.0% decisive (non-draws), with an average length of 34 moves. Sharpness varies by specific variation.

Is the Sicilian Defense a good opening family?

The Sicilian Defense family is statistically balanced overall with a 48.7% (90% CI: 48.6%-48.7%) aggregated win rate. However, win rates vary significantly between the 315 variations—explore individual lines to find the best fit for your style.