Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Polish Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
5,250 games: White 44.0% / Draw 5.7% / Black 50.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,4192,419 | ||
| 1,0851,085 | ||
| 887887 | ||
| 417417 | ||
| 206206 | ||
| 8383 | ||
| 7878 | ||
| 2525 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.86 White is better
Best play: 5. dxc5 Qxc5 6. Be2 d6 7. O-O Bg4 8. Be3 Qc8 9. Qc2 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Polish Variation (ECO A04, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Zukertort Opening: Sicilian Invitation, reached after 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 Qb6 (4 moves).
In 5,250 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.0%, Black 50.3% and 5.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. dxc5, in 46% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Polish Variation
5. d5 scores best for White: 49.0%, with White winning 46.6% and Black 48.5% of 887 games. The most played, 5. dxc5, scores 48.8% in 2,419 games, and 5. e5 scores lowest: 39.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. dxc5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Polish Variation (A04)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-semi-averbakh-variation-polish-variation