Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Quiet System
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Statistics from Lichess
97,325 games: White 47.1% / Draw 5.2% / Black 47.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 32,68233K | ||
| 21,89722K | ||
| 14,97715K | ||
| 11,32511K | ||
| 6,3956,395 | ||
| 4,3264,326 | ||
| 1,9291,929 | ||
| 1,4331,433 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.07 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... d6 4. Be2 Nf6 5. O-O e5 6. c4 Nc6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. a3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Quiet 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. d3 (3 moves).
In 97,325 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.1%, Black 47.7% and 5.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…Nc6, in 34% 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, Quiet System
3…d6 scores best for Black: 51.0%, with Black winning 48.2% and White 46.3% of 11K games. The most played, 3…Nc6, scores 50.0% in 33K games, and 3…g6 scores lowest: 49.6%. 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, Quiet System (B28)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-okelly-variation-quiet-system