Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
77,447 games: White 46.5% / Draw 5.2% / Black 48.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 27,16427K | ||
| 15,28215K | ||
| 13,49213K | ||
| 7,9827,982 | ||
| 6,4016,401 | ||
| 2,9492,949 | ||
| 1,8581,858 | ||
| 1,6221,622 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 2... Nc6 3. Bb5 d5 4. Nf3 dxe4 5. Ne5 Qd5 6. Nac4 Nf6 7. d3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation (ECO B20, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Na3 (2 moves).
In 77,447 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.5%, Black 48.3% and 5.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 2…Nc6, in 35% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation, Nemeth Gambit.
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: Kronberger Variation
2…e6 scores best for Black: 51.5%, with Black winning 48.9% and White 46.0% of 15K games. The most played, 2…Nc6, scores 51.5% in 27K games, and 2…d6 scores lowest: 49.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 2…Nc6.
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
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation (B20)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-kronberger-variation