Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › O'Kelly Variation › Normal System › Cortlever Gambit
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- O'Kelly Variation B28
- Normal System B28
- Cortlever Gambit B28 you are here
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Cortlever Gambit
Overview
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Cortlever Gambit is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO B28 in the Semi-Open Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
The line arises from 7 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Bc4.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B28
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 7
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
34,675 games · White 48.1% / Draw 3.5% / Black 48.4%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| e6 | 17,341 | |
| Nc6 | 5,357 | |
| b5 | 3,352 | |
| Nf6 | 2,593 | |
| d6 | 2,407 | |
| e5 | 1,728 | |
| Qc7 | 1,036 | |
| h6 | 389 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:35:33
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.