Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations › Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation › Main Line
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Main Line
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Main Line is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B52.
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 begins with 6 plies and takes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
2 named variations grow from this line, including Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit, Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Sokolsky Variation.
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
- B52
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 6
- Direct variations
- 2
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
2,938,838 games · White 48.6% / Draw 6.9% / Black 44.5%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bxd7+ | 2,304,042 | |
| a4 | 211,386 | |
| Qe2 | 151,879 | |
| Nc3 | 105,149 | |
| c4 | 73,084 | |
| Bc4 | 60,151 | |
| Be2 | 20,062 | |
| Bd3 | 6,345 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:22:12
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