Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
31,341 games: White 54.0% / Draw 6.7% / Black 39.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 24,64525K | ||
| 6,6716,671 | ||
| 1717 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.94 White is better
Best play: 5. dxc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 d5 7. exd6 exd6 8. Qd2 d5 9. O-O-O Be6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation (ECO B29, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3 (4 moves).
In 31,341 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.0%, Black 39.3% and 6.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. dxc3, in 79% of those games.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation
The most played answer, 5. dxc3, also scores best for White: 59.1%, with White winning 55.7% and Black 37.4% of 25K games. Of the main answers, 5. bxc3 scores lowest: 51.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. dxc3.
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: Nimzowitsch Variation, Exchange Variation (B29)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-nimzowitsch-variation-exchange-variation