Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
13,848 games: White 54.5% / Draw 5.4% / Black 40.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 10,70911K | ||
| 1,3471,347 | ||
| 513513 | ||
| 385385 | ||
| 214214 | ||
| 143143 | ||
| 142142 | ||
| 6565 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.40 White is better
Best play: 6. Nc3 b6 7. h4 Bb7 8. h5 g5 9. Be2 Be7 10. h6 Qc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation (ECO B41, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 g6 (5 moves).
In 13,848 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.5%, Black 40.1% and 5.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nc3, in 77% 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: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation
6. Be3 scores best for White: 58.5%, with White winning 56.3% and Black 39.3% of 1,347 games. The most played answer, 6. Nc3, scores lowest: 57.8% in 11K games. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Nc3.
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: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation (B41)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-kan-variation-maroczy-bind-hedgehog-variation