Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer
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Statistics from Lichess
10,326 games: White 47.0% / Draw 6.0% / Black 47.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,2443,244 | ||
| 3,0143,014 | ||
| 1,8061,806 | ||
| 636636 | ||
| 301301 | ||
| 161161 | ||
| 152152 | ||
| 148148 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.46 White is slightly better
Best play: 8. e5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Bg5 Be6 11. O-O-O+ Kc7 12. Bf3 h6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer (ECO B58, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 g6 (7 moves).
In 10,326 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.0%, Black 47.1% and 6.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. O-O, in 31% 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, Dragon Transfer
8. e5 scores best for White: 54.5%, with White winning 51.1% and Black 42.1% of 636 games. The most played answer, 8. O-O, scores lowest: 47.8% in 3,244 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. e5.
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: Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer (B58)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-classical-variation-dragon-transfer