Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening
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Statistics from Lichess
32,762 games: White 38.0% / Draw 3.8% / Black 58.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 15,33315K | ||
| 5,8495,849 | ||
| 4,1274,127 | ||
| 3,6633,663 | ||
| 1,1541,154 | ||
| 903903 | ||
| 582582 | ||
| 580580 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−1.39 Black is better
Best play: 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nf3 e6 5. d3 d5 6. Ke1 Be7 7. a4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening (ECO B20, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Ke2 (2 moves).
In 32,762 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 38.0%, Black 58.2% and 3.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…Nc6, in 47% 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: King David's Opening
The most played answer, 2…Nc6, also scores best for Black: 61.1%, with Black winning 59.4% and White 37.1% of 15K games. Of the main answers, 2…d6 scores lowest: 58.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 2…Nf6.
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: King David's Opening (B20)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-king-davids-opening