Sicilian Defense: Velimirovic Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
22,331 games: White 55.4% / Draw 4.5% / Black 40.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,12012K | ||
| 7,2687,268 | ||
| 1,4261,426 | ||
| 442442 | ||
| 272272 | ||
| 210210 | ||
| 186186 | ||
| 103103 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.48 White is slightly better
Best play: 8... e5 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Rhg1 Bg4 12. f3 Be6 13. g4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Velimirovic Attack (ECO B89, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qe2 (8 moves).
In 22,331 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.4%, Black 40.1% and 4.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…O-O, in 54% 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: Velimirovic Attack
8…a6 scores best for Black: 42.7%, with Black winning 40.4% and White 54.9% of 7,268 games. The most played answer, 8…O-O, scores lowest: 42.1% in 12K games. Stockfish's first choice is 8…e5.
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: Velimirovic Attack (B89)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-velimirovic-attack