Tree path 4 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- Modern Variations B50 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B50.
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.
Play reaches this position via 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6, after 4 plies of opening development.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
6 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Sicilian Defense, Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, with d6, Sicilian Defense: Kopec System, and others.
This is a deep theory tree with 115 total sub-variations across all depths — one of the larger branches in chess theory.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B50
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 4
- Parent
- Sicilian Defense
- Direct variations
- 6
- Total in subtree
- 115
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
69,616,257 games · White 47.9% / Draw 5.1% / Black 47.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | 39,892,792 | |
| Bc4 | 9,453,078 | |
| c3 | 6,468,869 | |
| Bb5+ | 5,033,254 | |
| Nc3 | 4,015,725 | |
| d3 | 1,007,774 | |
| c4 | 728,285 | |
| h3 | 714,113 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:00:28
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Variations (6)
Show all 115 sub-variations (full subtree)
Loading sub-variations…