Caissa Codex
B31

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

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

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Statistics from Lichess

11,483 games: White 52.2% / Draw 5.7% / Black 42.1%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
7,8087,808
2,6152,615
697697
179179
5555
4444
2727
1717

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

Engine evaluation

0.00 The position is about equal

Best play: 6... Nxe4 7. d5 Nb8 8. Re1 Nf6 9. d6 e6 10. Ne5 O-O 11. Bg5

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, Lutikov 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 Nf6 6. d4 (6 moves).

In 11,483 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.2%, Black 42.1% and 5.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…cxd4, in 68% of those games.

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

6…Nxe4 scores best for Black: 46.9%, with Black winning 44.4% and White 50.7% of 2,615 games. The most played, 6…cxd4, scores 44.8% in 7,808 games, and 6…d5 scores lowest: 40.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…Nxe4.

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 Nf6 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, Lutikov Gambit (B31)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-nyezhmetdinov-rossolimo-attack-fianchetto-variation-lutikov-gambit

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