Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
87,970 games: White 48.8% / Draw 5.3% / Black 45.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 18,16118K | ||
| 17,11317K | ||
| 16,26816K | ||
| 10,47810K | ||
| 8,0588,058 | ||
| 7,2807,280 | ||
| 2,2782,278 | ||
| 2,0562,056 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.60 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bc1 Nf6 8. Be2 Nc6 9. Be3 a6 10. Nb3 e6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kupreichik Variation (ECO B56, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7 (5 moves).
In 87,970 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.8%, Black 45.9% and 5.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bg5, in 21% 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: Kupreichik Variation
6. f3 scores best for White: 55.6%, with White winning 53.1% and Black 41.9% of 7,280 games. The most played, 6. Bg5, scores 51.1% in 18K games, and 6. Bd3 scores lowest: 48.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 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: Kupreichik Variation (B56)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-kupreichik-variation