Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line
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Statistics from Lichess
65,636 games: White 51.3% / Draw 6.6% / Black 42.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 18,05218K | ||
| 16,56817K | ||
| 12,40012K | ||
| 9,4169,416 | ||
| 8,2158,215 | ||
| 773773 | ||
| 179179 | ||
| 1313 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.51 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Nf5 Nf6 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5 Nxe4 9. Nxg7+ Bxg7 10. Nxe4 Nd4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line (ECO B32, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Open, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 e5 (5 moves).
In 65,636 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.3%, Black 42.1% and 6.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nf5, 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: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line
The most played answer, 6. Nf5, also scores best for White: 58.0%, with White winning 54.8% and Black 38.8% of 18K games. Of the main answers, 6. Nf3 scores lowest: 51.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. Nf5.
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: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line (B32)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-okelly-variation-maroczy-bind-geller-line