Caissa Codex
B31

Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit after 6. d4

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Statistics from Lichess

31,185 games: White 52.3% / Draw 5.6% / Black 42.2%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
24,83625K
6,0936,093
8383
8383
3333
1818
1414
1010

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.34 White is slightly better

Best play: 6... cxd4 7. cxd4 exd4 8. Bf4 a6 9. Ba4 Nge7 10. Bd6 b5 11. Bb3

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit (ECO B31, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 e5 6. d4 (6 moves).

In 31,185 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.3%, Black 42.2% and 5.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…cxd4, in 80% of those games.

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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit

6…exd4 scores best for Black: 46.0%, with Black winning 43.3% and White 51.2% of 6,093 games. The most played answer, 6…cxd4, scores lowest: 44.8% in 25K games. Stockfish's first choice is 6…cxd4.

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

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 e5 6. d4, the position after Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit (B31)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-nyezhmetdinov-rossolimo-attack-fianchetto-variation-gufeld-gambit

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-nyezhmetdinov-rossolimo-attack-fianchetto-variation-gufeld-gambit