Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
1,247 games: White 47.0% / Draw 6.8% / Black 46.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 878878 | ||
| 337337 | ||
| 1717 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.29 The position is about equal
Best play: 9. exd5 exd5 10. cxd5 Nb4 11. Bc4 Bd6 12. Qe2+ Qe7 13. O-O Qxe2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit (ECO B44, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Szén Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 d5 (8 moves).
In 1,247 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.0%, Black 46.2% and 6.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. cxd5, in 70% 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: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit
9. exd5 scores best for White: 51.9%, with White winning 49.0% and Black 45.1% of 337 games. The most played answer, 9. cxd5, scores lowest: 50.5% in 878 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 9. exd5.
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: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit (B44)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-taimanov-variation-gary-gambit