Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation for Black
This line gives White an early choice, and the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 is already one you need to understand as Black. Stockfish rates it +0.31, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse and should know the most important reply, the most common plans, and the one mistake to avoid. Use the drill below to practise the exact position and learn what Black should do next.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is asking of Black
After the opening moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5, White to move can choose from several different setups. As Black, your job is to stay active and solve the opening problem without drifting into a worse structure. This is not a line where you can ignore White’s choices: the database shows many different continuations, so you need a clear response in the drill. The good news is that the position is still close enough to balanced that accurate play matters more than memorising long forcing lines.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is Bc4, and it continues Bc4 d6 O-O g6. That tells you White is aiming for quick development and pressure rather than an immediate pawn grab. For you as Black, the practical lesson is simple: expect rapid piece activity and be ready to answer it cleanly. In this type of position, sound development and king safety matter more than trying to win the opening on the spot.
What the game database shows
The database gives a useful reality check at this exact position across 1,175,686 games. White wins 47.7%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 48.2%. That is a very playable score for Black, but it also shows that the game does not automatically go your way. The position is a real battleground, and White’s choices from here have been tested a huge amount. The most-played continuations are Bc4, Bb5, d3, d4, a3, and Nd5, so you should be ready for several different plans rather than one fixed response.
The critical mistake to avoid
The main known mistake here is d4. It loses about 1.1 pawns, and Bc4 was better. That makes this a great lesson position for pattern recognition: if White chooses d4, you should be alert to the fact that the move is considered inaccurate in this position. For your training, the key takeaway is not to panic when White changes the structure. Stay disciplined, follow the best practical response, and learn the feel of the resulting middlegame instead of guessing.
Results across 1,175,686 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bc4 | 427,179 | 49.8% |
| Bb5 | 377,155 | 48.4% |
| d3 | 180,788 | 43.8% |
| d4 | 39,883 | 39.9% |
| a3 | 36,126 | 49.6% |
| Nd5 | 31,665 | 46.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What opening is this position from?
This is the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation. The opening moves are 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5, and the reader plays Black in the resulting position.
Is this position good for Black?
The engine gives +0.31, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse, but the position is still very playable and close enough that accurate moves matter most.
What is the best move for White here?
The engine’s best move is Bc4. It continues with Bc4 d6 O-O g6, which shows White is aiming for rapid development and pressure.
Which move should I be careful about?
The known mistake is d4. It loses about 1.1 pawns, and Bc4 was better, so you should be ready for White to misplay this decision in the drill.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation position. White wins 47.7%, Black wins 48.2%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.