Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
2,737 games: White 48.8% / Draw 6.9% / Black 44.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,7821,782 | ||
| 303303 | ||
| 218218 | ||
| 116116 | ||
| 115115 | ||
| 7070 | ||
| 3434 | ||
| 2626 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.51 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Qe3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. h3 a6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense (ECO B53, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Qd7 (5 moves).
In 2,737 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.8%, Black 44.4% and 6.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bxc6, in 65% 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: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense
6. Qd3 scores best for White: 57.4%, with White winning 54.1% and Black 39.3% of 303 games. The most played answer, 6. Bxc6, scores lowest: 52.0% in 1,782 games. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Qe3.
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. “Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation, Zaitsev Defense (B53)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-chekhover-variation-zaitsev-defense