Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
37,229 games: White 42.4% / Draw 3.6% / Black 54.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,81414K | ||
| 9,4789,478 | ||
| 4,9094,909 | ||
| 4,3804,380 | ||
| 1,3741,374 | ||
| 1,0691,069 | ||
| 943943 | ||
| 398398 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 7, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.93 Black is better
Best play: 2... d5 3. d3 Nc6 4. h3 h5 5. Bg2 e6 6. g5 Nge7 7. Nc3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation (ECO B20, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. g4 (2 moves).
In 37,229 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.4%, Black 54.0% and 3.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…Nc6, in 37% 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: Grob Variation
2…d5 scores best for Black: 61.0%, with Black winning 59.2% and White 37.3% of 4,909 games. The most played, 2…Nc6, scores 55.7% in 14K games, and 2…d6 scores lowest: 54.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 2…d5.
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: Grob Variation (B20)”. Lichess data as of 7 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-grob-variation