Tree path 5 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations › Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- Modern Variations B50
- Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit B50 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit is a gambit, classified under ECO code B50 within the Semi-Open Games family. As with all gambits, one side sacrifices material early — usually a pawn — in exchange for development, open lines, or initiative.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
The line arises from 6 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 b5.
It is a variation of Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, which itself descends from the root opening King's Pawn Game.
Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.
- ECO code
- B50
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 6
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
561 games · White 56.5% / Draw 4.5% / Black 39.0%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bg2 | 410 | |
| Bxb5+ | 121 | |
| d3 | 11 | |
| c3 | 4 | |
| d4 | 4 | |
| a4 | 3 | |
| c4 | 2 | |
| a3 | 1 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:22:05
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