Sicilian Defense: Venice Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
49,742 games: White 59.5% / Draw 5.5% / Black 35.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 34,25934K | ||
| 14,63615K | ||
| 711711 | ||
| 9292 | ||
| 2525 | ||
| 1919 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.55 White is slightly better
Best play: 6... Nbd7 7. Nf5 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 Nc5 10. Bg5 Bxf5 11. exf5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Venice Attack (ECO B56, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Bb5+ (6 moves).
In 49,742 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 59.5%, Black 35.1% and 5.5% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…Bd7, in 69% of those games.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Venice Attack
6…Nbd7 scores best for Black: 42.3%, with Black winning 39.3% and White 54.7% of 15K games. The most played answer, 6…Bd7, scores lowest: 36.2% in 34K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…Nbd7.
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: Venice Attack (B56)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-venice-attack