Zukertort Defense: Sicilian Knight Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
9,048 games: White 60.0% / Draw 3.9% / Black 36.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,1283,128 | ||
| 2,9292,929 | ||
| 901901 | ||
| 774774 | ||
| 670670 | ||
| 120120 | ||
| 116116 | ||
| 9494 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 8, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.43 White is better
Best play: 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nb8 6. e5 Nc6 7. Qa4 a6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Zukertort Defense: Sicilian Knight Variation (ECO A04, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Zukertort Opening, reached after 1. Nf3 Na6 2. e4 c5 (2 moves).
In 9,048 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 60.0%, Black 36.1% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. Bxa6, in 35% 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 Zukertort Defense: Sicilian Knight Variation
3. Nc3 scores best for White: 65.8%, with White winning 64.0% and Black 32.4% of 670 games. The most played, 3. Bxa6, scores 60.9% in 3,128 games, and 3. c3 scores lowest: 60.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. Nc3.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Zukertort Defense: Sicilian Knight Variation (A04)”. Lichess data as of 8 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/zukertort-defense-sicilian-knight-variation