Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations – Playing Black Against Bb5+
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6, White often tries to disrupt your development with 3.Bb5+. It looks annoying — pinning your knight before it even reaches c6 — but Black has a simple, principled answer: 3...Bd7. From here the position is dead level, with neither side holding an edge. With 1,586,323 games played from this exact spot, the statistics show Black actually wins more often than White does overall. Let's walk through what you need to know to handle this line with confidence.
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Create a free account →Why 3...Bd7 is your best reply to Bb5+
The bishop check is White's attempt to provoke a weakness or force an exchange on favourable terms. By playing 3...Bd7, you meet the threat directly — you develop a piece and offer the trade. This is the most-played continuation in the database for good reason: it's solid and doesn't commit to anything risky. The engine considers the position after 3...Bd7 as practically equal (+0.19 for White, which is a tiny edge that means nothing at club level). From your perspective as Black, you are completely fine here. You've avoided any early pitfalls and can look forward to a normal Sicilian struggle.
The engine's top choice: Bxd7+ and how to follow up
White's strongest reply is 4.Bxd7+, and after 4...Qxd7 you reach the tabiya of this line. White will typically castle (5.O-O) and continue with 5...Nf6, developing normally. Your plan from here is straightforward: complete your development. Your queen on d7 is well placed. Bring your knight to f6, castle kingside, and aim for the standard Sicilian break ...d5 when the time is right. You're not worse — in the 1,111,330 games where White took on d7, White scores 47.5%, meaning Black and draws account for the majority. That's a healthy result for you.
What if White doesn't take on d7?
White has several other options, and all of them are fine for you. The second-most-popular move is 5.Nc3 (appearing in 135,802 games), where White scores just 46.4% — a below-average result for the first player. Similarly, 5.Bc4 (115,791 games) gives White only 44.7%, and 5.Qe2 (95,612 games) sees White score 48.0%. Even the rarer 5.a4 and 5.Be2 produce below-average results for White. The takeaway is simple: none of White's alternatives improve their chances compared to taking on d7. In every case, Black holds comfortable equality in practice. Just develop naturally — Nf6, e6, and castle kingside — and you'll have a good game.
What the win rates tell you about this opening
Across the full database of 1,586,323 games from this position, the results are remarkably balanced: White wins 47.1%, draws 5.2%, and Black wins 47.7%. Notice that Black's winning percentage is actually slightly higher than White's, despite White having the first move. This is unusual for a main-line opening and tells you something important: the Bb5+ line is not a dangerous try for White. It simplifies the position early and often leads to symmetrical structures where Black's chances are just as good. The low draw rate (5.2%) also suggests that games tend to be decisive — so play actively and trust your position.
Results across 1,586,323 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bxd7+ | 1,111,330 | 47.5% |
| Nc3 | 135,802 | 46.4% |
| Bc4 | 115,791 | 44.7% |
| Qe2 | 95,612 | 48.0% |
| a4 | 81,805 | 48.6% |
| Be2 | 18,143 | 45.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 3.Bb5+ a good try for White in the Sicilian?
Not especially. The engine rates the position as dead level at +0.19, which is negligible. In practice, Black actually scores better than White overall from this line (47.7% wins vs 47.1%). It's a safe, non-committal move that doesn't cause Black any real problems if you reply 3...Bd7.
Are there other ways to block the check besides 3...Bd7?
3...Bd7 is by far the most common and solid reply. Other blocking moves are rare at any level because they are less principled — they don't develop a useful piece or leave the blocking piece awkwardly placed. Stick with 3...Bd7 to develop a piece and force White's decision immediately.
What's the best plan for Black after 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7?
Develop naturally. Play Nf6, then e6 to open lines, and castle kingside. Your queen is active on d7 and your structure is solid. Aim to control the centre with ...d5 when you're ready — this is a typical Sicilian break that equalises comfortably.
How should I handle White's 5.Nc3 instead of taking on d7?
5.Nc3 is actually even better for you than 5.Bxd7+ — White scores only 46.4% in this line. Just develop with Nf6, and if White plays Bxd7+ at some point, you recapture with the queen as usual. If White never takes, you're still fine. Your position is sound and you have no weaknesses.
What is Stockfish's evaluation of the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations: Bb5+?
At depth 16, Stockfish rates the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations: Bb5+ as a balanced position (+0.19) from White's perspective. This is the computer's assessment of the position after the main opening moves.