Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
16,449 games: White 37.4% / Draw 3.6% / Black 59.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,1636,163 | ||
| 4,7374,737 | ||
| 2,0022,002 | ||
| 1,6921,692 | ||
| 629629 | ||
| 449449 | ||
| 250250 | ||
| 220220 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.43 Black is slightly better
Best play: 2... d5 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. O-O Nc6 7. d3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation (ECO B20, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nh3 (2 moves).
In 16,449 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 37.4%, Black 59.1% and 3.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…Nc6, in 37% 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 Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation
2…d5 scores best for Black: 63.8%, with Black winning 61.7% and White 34.2% of 1,692 games. The most played answer, 2…Nc6, scores lowest: 60.9% in 6,163 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 2…d5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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. “Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation (B20)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-brick-variation