Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Swiss Cheese Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
12,826 games: White 46.8% / Draw 6.9% / Black 46.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,4647,464 | ||
| 1,1581,158 | ||
| 1,0371,037 | ||
| 1,0201,020 | ||
| 449449 | ||
| 394394 | ||
| 255255 | ||
| 243243 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.58 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Be3 Bg7 7. O-O Ne7 8. c4 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Nc3 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Swiss Cheese 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 g6 (5 moves).
In 12,826 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.8%, Black 46.3% and 6.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. O-O, in 58% 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, Swiss Cheese Variation
6. Be3 scores best for White: 52.1%, with White winning 48.6% and Black 44.4% of 1,037 games. The most played, 6. O-O, scores 50.2% in 7,464 games, and 6. Nc3 scores lowest: 49.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. Be3.
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, Swiss Cheese Variation (B42)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-kan-variation-swiss-cheese-variation