Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
83,119 games: White 48.1% / Draw 5.3% / Black 46.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 61,08461K | ||
| 10,68711K | ||
| 6,8526,852 | ||
| 3,3633,363 | ||
| 868868 | ||
| 163163 | ||
| 2222 | ||
| 1212 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.46 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Nb3 Ba7 7. Qe2 Ne7 8. Nc3 d6 9. Be3 Nbc6 10. Bxa7 Rxa7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation (ECO B42, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 (5 moves).
In 83,119 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.1%, Black 46.6% and 5.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nb3, in 73% 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, Polugaevsky Variation
The most played answer, 6. Nb3, also scores best for White: 52.4%, with White winning 49.6% and Black 44.7% of 61K games. Of the main answers, 6. Be3 scores lowest: 44.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. Nb3.
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, Polugaevsky Variation (B42)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-kan-variation-polugaevsky-variation