B27

Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit after 2…b5

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

34,577 games: White 60.5% / Draw 3.4% / Black 36.0%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
17,05817K
11,68812K
2,0542,054
989989
649649
362362
330330
290290

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 22, 2026

Engine evaluation

+2.31 White is clearly better

Best play: 3. Bxb5 Bb7 4. Nc3 e6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nf6 7. Bg5 Be7

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit (ECO B27, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b5 (2 moves).

In 34,577 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 60.5%, Black 36.0% and 3.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Bxb5, in 49% of those games.

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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit

The most played answer, 3. Bxb5, also scores best for White: 64.9%, with White winning 63.2% and Black 33.5% of 17K games. Of the main answers, 3. c3 scores lowest: 59.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. Bxb5.

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: Polish Gambit (B27)”. Lichess data as of 22 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-polish-gambit