Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations › Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation › Dorfman Gambit
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- Modern Variations B50
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation B51
- Dorfman Gambit B51 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Dorfman Gambit
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Dorfman Gambit is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO B51 in the Semi-Open Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
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.
It is reached after 11 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Qe2 g6 6. e5.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
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
- B51
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 11
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
153 games · White 49.0% / Draw 3.9% / Black 47.1%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | 60 | |
| Nxe5 | 51 | |
| d5 | 25 | |
| Bg7 | 8 | |
| e6 | 6 | |
| Bg4 | 1 | |
| Be6 | 1 | |
| a6 | 1 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:25:39
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