Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
34,577 games: White 60.5% / Draw 3.4% / Black 36.0%
| Next move | Games | White / 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.
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: 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