Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf6
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Statistics from Lichess
95,199 games: White 47.7% / Draw 5.3% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 20,61621K | ||
| 19,17019K | ||
| 11,40911K | ||
| 10,71111K | ||
| 8,9238,923 | ||
| 8,1778,177 | ||
| 6,7866,786 | ||
| 3,8713,871 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 9, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.50 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Ng5 O-O 7. h4 b5 8. Bxb5 h6 9. Nf3 Nd4 10. Nxe5 Qc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf6 (ECO B30, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 Nf6 (5 moves).
In 95,199 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.7%, Black 47.0% and 5.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bg5, in 22% 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: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf6
6. h3 scores best for White: 52.0%, with White winning 49.1% and Black 45.0% of 11K games. The most played, 6. Bg5, scores 48.2% in 21K games, and 6. Be3 scores lowest: 46.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Ng5.
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: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf6 (B30)”. Lichess data as of 9 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-closed-anti-sveshnikov-variation-with-nf6