Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System
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Statistics from Lichess
52,486 games: White 47.4% / Draw 5.3% / Black 47.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 16,68117K | ||
| 10,03510K | ||
| 9,1299,129 | ||
| 7,6747,674 | ||
| 3,7853,785 | ||
| 2,6182,618 | ||
| 771771 | ||
| 464464 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.14 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bd3 Qa5+ 7. Qd2 Qxd2+ 8. Nxd2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System (ECO B28, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. b3 (3 moves).
In 52,486 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.4%, Black 47.3% and 5.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Nc6, in 32% 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: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System
3…d6 scores best for Black: 51.6%, with Black winning 48.6% and White 45.4% of 9,129 games. The most played, 3…Nc6, scores 49.7% in 17K games, and 3…b5 scores lowest: 47.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3…d6.
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: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System (B28)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-okelly-variation-kieseritzky-system