Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, American Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
80,266 games: White 43.9% / Draw 5.1% / Black 51.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 60,30060K | ||
| 17,53618K | ||
| 2,4302,430 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.03 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... Ke7 8. Bf4 e5 9. Nf5+ Kf8 10. Bd2 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nxe4 12. Qg4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, American Attack (ECO B45, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Ndb5 Bb4 7. Nd6+ (7 moves).
In 80,266 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.9%, Black 51.0% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Ke7, in 75% 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: Four Knights Variation, American Attack
The most played answer, 7…Ke7, also scores best for Black: 57.8%, with Black winning 55.3% and White 39.7% of 60K games. Of the main answers, 7…Bxd6 scores lowest: 39.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7…Ke7.
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: Four Knights Variation, American Attack (B45)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-four-knights-variation-american-attack