Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations — play it as Black
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6, you are already in familiar Sicilian territory, but the move order matters. White is to move, and the most important test is usually direct central play. Your drill here is about handling the space fight without drifting into passivity. Play the position from Black’s chair, learn what White most often tries, and get used to meeting the critical central break with confidence.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill and practise the key replies until they feel natural. Create a free account to track your progress and repeat the positions that matter most.
Create a free account →What White is fighting for
This opening comes from a very concrete struggle over the centre. White’s most important idea is the central advance shown by the engine as the best move, and that is also the move you should expect to face most often in the drill. Your first job as Black is not to chase pawns randomly, but to stay coordinated and answer the centre with a clear plan. If you can keep your pieces active and avoid giving White extra space, you are already doing the right kind of Sicilian work.
The engine’s main answer
Stockfish rates this +0.57, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here.
The engine’s best move is d4, continuing d4 cxd4 Nxd4 e5. In other words, the critical challenge is the central break and the direct reply to it. In the drill, treat that line as the main checkpoint: if White gets the centre in motion, you need to know how to meet it cleanly and keep the position under control.
What the numbers say
Across 42,228,911 games at this exact position, the results are extremely balanced: White wins 47.8%, draws 4.0%, Black wins 48.2%. That is a useful sign for practical players. This is not an opening where you are simply trying to survive; it is a position where Black can score well if you understand the ideas and handle the centre accurately. The numbers also tell you that White’s choices matter a lot, so your training should focus on the most common continuations rather than vague side lines.
The replies you will see most
The most-played continuations are d4, Bc4, Nc3, c3, Bb5+, and d3. The main practical takeaway is simple: you should be ready for White to choose an active central plan or a developing move that keeps options open. Among these, d4 is by far the most common, so it deserves the most attention in the drill. The others are still important because they show the range of positions White is willing to steer toward from this move order.
The mistakes to punish
Two moves are marked as inaccuracies here: c3 and d3. In both cases, the note is the same — they lose about 0.6 pawns, and d4 was better. That gives you a clear training clue. If White hesitates with one of these slower moves, you should be alert to seize the central momentum and not let White improve for free. Good Black play in this opening is often about meeting hesitation with precise, energetic development.
Results across 42,228,911 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | 18,941,475 | 48.7% |
| Bc4 | 10,155,824 | 46.6% |
| Nc3 | 3,744,071 | 45.8% |
| c3 | 3,443,398 | 50.5% |
| Bb5+ | 2,574,119 | 47.3% |
| d3 | 655,396 | 45.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What opening is this when I play Black?
This lesson covers the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6. You are Black, and White is to move in the position you will drill.
What is the engine’s main move for White here?
The engine’s best move is d4. The continuation given is d4 cxd4 Nxd4 e5, so that central break is the key line to know.
Is this position good for Black?
The engine gives +0.57, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse, but the game results are close and Black scores well in practice.
Which White moves should I be ready for most often?
The most-played continuations are d4, Bc4, Nc3, c3, Bb5+, and d3. The move d4 is by far the most common, so it should be your main focus in the drill.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations?
Over 42 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations position. White wins 47.8%, Black wins 48.2%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.