Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Robatsch Line
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Statistics from Lichess
56,826 games: White 49.9% / Draw 6.2% / Black 43.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 25,69826K | ||
| 23,79124K | ||
| 3,0923,092 | ||
| 1,1021,102 | ||
| 701701 | ||
| 667667 | ||
| 666666 | ||
| 338338 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.58 White is slightly better
Best play: 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. Be3 O-O
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, Robatsch Line (ECO B28, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4 d6 (3 moves).
In 56,826 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.9%, Black 43.9% and 6.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. d4, in 45% 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, Robatsch Line
The most played answer, 4. d4, also scores best for White: 56.0%, with White winning 52.7% and Black 40.8% of 26K games. Of the main answers, 4. d3 scores lowest: 47.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. d4.
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, Robatsch Line (B28)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-okelly-variation-maroczy-bind-robatsch-line