Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Gambit Line
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Statistics from Lichess
14,414 games: White 46.6% / Draw 8.0% / Black 45.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 9,7359,735 | ||
| 3,5423,542 | ||
| 278278 | ||
| 271271 | ||
| 174174 | ||
| 144144 | ||
| 9898 | ||
| 4040 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.48 White is slightly better
Best play: 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qb3 Bc8 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nxd5 9. Bd3 Nc6
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, Gambit Line (ECO B28, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 (4 moves).
In 14,414 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.6%, Black 45.4% and 8.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. d4, in 68% 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, Gambit Line
The most played answer, 5. d4, also scores best for White: 51.3%, with White winning 46.9% and Black 44.2% of 9,735 games. Of the main answers, 5. c4 scores lowest: 48.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Qa4+.
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, Gambit Line (B28)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-okelly-variation-venice-system-gambit-line