Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
3,060 games: White 52.5% / Draw 8.1% / Black 39.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 846846 | ||
| 703703 | ||
| 500500 | ||
| 323323 | ||
| 310310 | ||
| 263263 | ||
| 5656 | ||
| 3939 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.02 The position is about equal
Best play: 9... Bc6 10. c4 cxd4 11. Bxf6 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 gxf6 13. Qxf6 Rg8 14. Qxd4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit (ECO B51, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5 (9 moves).
In 3,060 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.5%, Black 39.4% and 8.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 9…Bc6, in 28% 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: Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit
9…Bg6 scores best for Black: 52.8%, with Black winning 49.8% and White 44.3% of 323 games. The most played, 9…Bc6, scores 43.3% in 846 games, and 9…Bxf3 scores lowest: 30.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 9…Bc6.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit (B51)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-moscow-variation-moscow-gambit