Sicilian Defense: Spielmann Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
6,357 games: White 47.1% / Draw 5.9% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,1653,165 | ||
| 1,2271,227 | ||
| 987987 | ||
| 403403 | ||
| 214214 | ||
| 132132 | ||
| 6464 | ||
| 3030 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.12 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... a6 7. g3 e6 8. Nd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Be7 10. Bg2 Qc7 11. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Spielmann Variation (ECO B56, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Open, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nde2 (6 moves).
In 6,357 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.1%, Black 47.0% and 5.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…g6, in 50% 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: Spielmann Variation
6…e6 scores best for Black: 52.3%, with Black winning 49.6% and White 45.0% of 1,227 games. The most played, 6…g6, scores 49.9% in 3,165 games, and 6…a6 scores lowest: 47.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 6…a6.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Spielmann Variation (B56)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-spielmann-variation