Chessy
Rossolimo Variation: White’s practical anti-Sicilian setup
The Rossolimo Variation begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, and it gives you a clear, practical way to challenge Black’s Sicilian setup. In the starting position for this lesson, it is Black to move, and the engine says you have a small edge. That makes it a useful drill for learning how to keep pressure without rushing. Play the position against the engine and get used to the plans that follow when Black chooses one of the main continuations.
Play the Rossolimo Variation against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the Rossolimo drill against the engine, then create a free account to track your progress and repeat the key positions.
Create a free account →A small edge, so play actively
Stockfish gives this position +0.47, so you are slightly better here. That is not a winning advantage, but it is enough to make accurate play matter. The point of the Rossolimo Variation is to make Black solve practical problems early, rather than letting them settle into a comfortable Sicilian structure. Your job is to stay active, keep good piece coordination, and be ready for Black’s most common replies. This is a good opening for players who want a solid but ambitious White game.
What Black usually chooses
The most-played continuations from this exact position show you what to expect in the drill. Black most often tries a6, e6, d6, g6, Nd4, or Nf6. These moves are common enough that you should learn to recognise them quickly, because each one asks for a slightly different response from you. The database position is balanced in the sense that White scores well overall, but there is still real fighting chess here, not a forced win.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is e6, continuing e6 O-O Nge7 c3. That tells you a lot about the kind of game White wants: smooth development, a stable centre, and good piece activity. Do not treat this as a race to attack immediately. Instead, aim to keep your position flexible, improve your pieces sensibly, and make Black work to equalise after the opening moves.
What the database says about the position
Across 7,902,257 games at this exact position, White wins 49.2%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 46.8%. Those numbers fit the engine verdict: White has a small edge, but the position is still close enough that accurate move choice matters. If you like openings where you can ask direct questions without taking huge risks, this is a good fit. The drill below helps you learn the main move orders by feel, not by memorising a long file of theory.
Results across 7,902,257 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| a6 | 1,643,422 | 50.0% |
| e6 | 1,385,489 | 49.0% |
| d6 | 1,376,164 | 48.5% |
| g6 | 1,177,373 | 48.1% |
| Nd4 | 556,010 | 46.1% |
| Nf6 | 480,431 | 50.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rossolimo Variation good for White?
Yes. In this exact position, the engine gives White **+0.47**, which means you have a small edge. The database results also show White scoring slightly better overall, so it is a practical choice if you want pressure without overcommitting.
What is Black’s best move here?
The engine’s best move is **e6**. The listed continuation is **e6 O-O Nge7 c3**, which shows a sensible Black setup after your bishop move. In the drill, focus on keeping your position coordinated against that plan.
Which replies should I expect most often?
The most-played continuations are **a6**, **e6**, **d6**, **g6**, **Nd4**, and **Nf6**. Those are the moves you are most likely to see in practice from this exact position. Learning the ideas behind them will help you play the opening more confidently.
Does this opening force a tactical battle?
Not necessarily. The Rossolimo Variation is more about practical pressure and good piece placement than immediate tactics. It can become sharp later, but from this starting position the main task is to handle Black’s reply accurately and keep your small edge.
How many games feature the Rossolimo Variation?
Over 8 million Lichess games have reached the Rossolimo Variation position. White wins 49.2%, Black wins 46.8%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.