Caissa Codex
B25

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge Variation

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge Variation after 7…Nge7

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

6,804 games: White 61.4% / Draw 5.3% / Black 33.2%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
6,3646,364
209209
190190
1919
66
44
44
33

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 10, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.11 The position is about equal

Best play: 8. O-O exf4 9. Nxf4 Rb8 10. a4 O-O 11. Kh1 a6 12. Ncd5 Nxd5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge Variation (ECO B25, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, with f4, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4 e5 7. Nh3 Nge7 (7 moves).

In 6,804 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 61.4%, Black 33.2% and 5.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. O-O, in 94% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge Variation (B25)”. Lichess data as of 10 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-closed-botvinnik-defense-edge-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-closed-botvinnik-defense-edge-variation