Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
6,545 games: White 47.9% / Draw 5.1% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,6882,688 | ||
| 1,3471,347 | ||
| 1,1351,135 | ||
| 820820 | ||
| 314314 | ||
| 8484 | ||
| 8080 | ||
| 5757 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.53 Black is slightly better
Best play: 5... Qe4+ 6. Ne2 e5 7. axb4 Bxb4 8. Nc3 Bxc3 9. f3 Qh4+ 10. g3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation (ECO B20, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Bb2 (5 moves).
In 6,545 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 47.0% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…e5, in 41% 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: Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation
The most played answer, 5…e5, also scores best for Black: 51.3%, with Black winning 48.5% and White 45.9% of 2,688 games. Of the main answers, 5…bxa3 scores lowest: 44.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Qe4+.
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: Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation (B20)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-wing-gambit-marienbad-variation