Sicilian Defense: Kopec System
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Statistics from Lichess
70,362 games: White 46.7% / Draw 4.9% / Black 48.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 24,39724K | ||
| 23,41223K | ||
| 6,0676,067 | ||
| 5,3545,354 | ||
| 5,0545,054 | ||
| 2,9402,940 | ||
| 1,9431,943 | ||
| 341341 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.01 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... Nf6 4. O-O Nc6 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 e5 7. c3 Be7 8. h3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kopec System (ECO B50, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bd3 (3 moves).
In 70,362 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.7%, Black 48.4% and 4.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Nf6, in 35% 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: Kopec System
3…g6 scores best for Black: 53.2%, with Black winning 50.7% and White 44.4% of 5,354 games. The most played, 3…Nf6, scores 52.2% in 24K games, and 3…e5 scores lowest: 47.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…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: Kopec System (B50)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-kopec-system