Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
58,776 games: White 47.9% / Draw 6.7% / Black 45.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 23,49423K | ||
| 13,63714K | ||
| 6,6666,666 | ||
| 4,1254,125 | ||
| 3,7793,779 | ||
| 3,1143,114 | ||
| 1,5721,572 | ||
| 1,4641,464 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.16 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... g6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. e5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. Bg2 Kc7 11. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation (ECO B56, 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. g3 (6 moves).
In 58,776 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 45.4% and 6.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…g6, in 40% 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, Fianchetto Variation
6…Bg4 scores best for Black: 50.5%, with Black winning 47.9% and White 46.8% of 3,779 games. The most played, 6…g6, scores 49.8% in 23K games, and 6…a6 scores lowest: 44.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 6…g6.
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: Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation (B56)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-classical-variation-fianchetto-variation