Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line
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Statistics from Lichess
46,493 games: White 49.9% / Draw 5.9% / Black 44.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 31,13331K | ||
| 5,0415,041 | ||
| 4,0364,036 | ||
| 2,6462,646 | ||
| 2,4452,445 | ||
| 366366 | ||
| 338338 | ||
| 250250 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.38 White is slightly better
Best play: 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O d6 8. Bxd5 exd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Barcza Line (ECO B28, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 Nf6 (3 moves).
In 46,493 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.9%, Black 44.2% and 5.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. e5, in 67% 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, Venice System, Barcza Line
The most played answer, 4. e5, also scores best for White: 55.1%, with White winning 52.0% and Black 41.8% of 31K games. Of the main answers, 4. d4 scores lowest: 46.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. e5.
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, Venice System, Barcza Line (B28)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-okelly-variation-venice-system-barcza-line