Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
153,930 games: White 48.0% / Draw 3.2% / Black 48.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 93,92094K | ||
| 14,92715K | ||
| 13,03113K | ||
| 12,69613K | ||
| 5,9665,966 | ||
| 5,8555,855 | ||
| 3,1043,104 | ||
| 1,7231,723 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.55 Black is slightly better
Best play: 3... Nc6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Nxd4 dxe4 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bd7 8. Nxc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit (ECO B21, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. f4 (3 moves).
In 153,930 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.0%, Black 48.7% and 3.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Nc6, in 61% 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: Halasz Gambit
3…d5 scores best for Black: 55.5%, with Black winning 53.7% and White 42.7% of 15K games. The most played, 3…Nc6, scores 50.0% in 94K games, and 3…e6 scores lowest: 48.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…Nc6.
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: Halasz Gambit (B21)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-halasz-gambit