Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line
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Statistics from Lichess
4,129 games: White 45.6% / Draw 7.6% / Black 46.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,2483,248 | ||
| 438438 | ||
| 145145 | ||
| 7777 | ||
| 5151 | ||
| 4040 | ||
| 3838 | ||
| 3232 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.13 The position is about equal
Best play: 11. Be3 Bb7 12. Qe1 Ne5 13. f3 Rc8 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Qf2 Nfd7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line (ECO B44, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of 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 Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O b6 (10 moves).
In 4,129 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.6%, Black 46.8% and 7.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 11. Be3, in 79% of those games.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line
The most played answer, 11. Be3, also scores best for White: 50.4%, with White winning 46.4% and Black 45.6% of 3,248 games. Of the main answers, 11. Nc2 scores lowest: 45.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 11. Be3.
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, Modern Line (B44)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-taimanov-variation-modern-line