Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
108,791 games: White 41.5% / Draw 5.3% / Black 53.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 74,08074K | ||
| 33,51834K | ||
| 875875 | ||
| 210210 | ||
| 9191 | ||
| 1717 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.11 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... Bd7 7. Be3 Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. O-O O-O 10. h3 a6 11. Bd3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation (ECO B80, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bb5+ (6 moves).
In 108,791 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.5%, Black 53.2% and 5.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…Bd7, 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: Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation
6…Nbd7 scores best for Black: 57.3%, with Black winning 55.0% and White 40.4% of 34K games. The most played answer, 6…Bd7, scores lowest: 55.6% in 74K games. Stockfish's first choice is 6…Bd7.
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: Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation (B80)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-scheveningen-variation-vitolins-variation