Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Anti-Sozin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
101,232 games: White 44.8% / Draw 5.1% / Black 50.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 38,02238K | ||
| 35,30735K | ||
| 8,4198,419 | ||
| 7,9897,989 | ||
| 6,1686,168 | ||
| 2,2132,213 | ||
| 1,0241,024 | ||
| 653653 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.36 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. Nb3 e6 8. Bf4 Qd8 9. Qd2 a6 10. Be2 b5 11. Rd1 Bd7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Anti-Sozin Variation (ECO B57, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Open, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 Qb6 (6 moves).
In 101,232 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.8%, Black 50.1% and 5.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Nb3, in 38% 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: Classical Variation, Anti-Sozin Variation
7. Nde2 scores best for White: 51.8%, with White winning 48.9% and Black 45.2% of 6,168 games. The most played, 7. Nb3, scores 49.1% in 38K games, and 7. Be3 scores lowest: 38.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. Nb3.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Anti-Sozin Variation (B57)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-classical-variation-anti-sozin-variation