Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order
This move order gives you a very specific kind of Sicilian: White has several natural tries, and you need to stay alert because the position is already a little better for White. Stockfish rates it +0.55, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, so the drill is about staying accurate, meeting White’s most common ideas, and avoiding the moves that let the position slip further. Use the exercise below to practise the important replies until they feel automatic.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order against the engine
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Play the drill and practise the key replies as Black. Create a free account to track your progress and build confidence in this Sicilian move order.
Create a free account →What you are dealing with after 3...Nf6
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6, White has a live position with multiple ways to continue. The database shows that White’s most popular choices are dxc5, Nc3, e5, d5, Bd3, and Bb5+. That means you should not expect one forced road: you need a clear response to each of White’s main plans. The key practical point is that this opening asks you to stay calm and play sound chess, rather than chase tactics that are not there.
The move the engine likes most
The engine’s best move here is Nc3, and the line given continues Nc3 cxd4 Nxd4 Nc6. That tells you something important about the position: White’s most principled approach is to develop and keep pressure in the centre. For your drill, focus on meeting that development with solid piece placement and quick coordination. You do not need to guess wildly; you need to understand that White is trying to keep the initiative while you complete your setup.
What the numbers say about White’s options
Across 363,123 games at this exact position, White wins 51.7%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 44.2%. Those numbers fit the engine’s message: this is not an equal comfort zone for Black, and White is doing a bit better overall. The most played continuation is dxc5 with 143,141 games, where White scores 52.9%. Nc3 is also extremely common with 105,140 games, and White scores 53.5% there. In practical terms, White has several healthy choices, so your goal is to keep the position stable and avoid making life easier for your opponent.
The two moves to respect most
Two moves are marked as mistakes here: e5 and d5. The note on e5 says it is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns, with Nc3 better. The note on d5 says it is also an inaccuracy and loses about 1.0 pawns, with Nc3 better. Those are the moves you should be ready to punish confidently in the drill. If White pushes too early, your task is not to panic; it is to recognise that the position has drifted in your favour and then keep your pieces active.
Results across 363,123 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxc5 | 143,141 | 52.9% |
| Nc3 | 105,140 | 53.5% |
| e5 | 56,680 | 48.0% |
| d5 | 15,393 | 47.3% |
| Bd3 | 12,930 | 49.8% |
| Bb5+ | 8,709 | 51.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order good for Black?
The position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 is a little better for White. Stockfish rates it +0.55, so you are not winning the opening battle here. That makes accurate defence and good move-order knowledge especially important.
What is White trying most often in this position?
White’s most played continuations are dxc5, Nc3, e5, d5, Bd3, and Bb5+. The database shows that Nc3 and dxc5 are especially common, so those are the replies you should know best. White is usually trying to develop naturally and keep pressure in the centre.
What is the engine’s best continuation here?
The engine’s best move is Nc3, and the line continues Nc3 cxd4 Nxd4 Nc6. That shows White’s most principled plan is to develop while keeping the centre tense. As Black, you should be ready for that setup and not give away time.
Which White moves are known mistakes?
The listed mistakes are e5 and d5. Both are called inaccuracies, and both are worse than Nc3 according to the notes. If you see either move in the drill, you should know that White has chosen a less accurate path.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order?
Over 363K Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order position. White wins 51.7%, Black wins 44.2%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.