Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5, you get a sharp pawn advanced position where White has space and Black must react accurately. Stockfish rates this +0.68, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here, but not winning on the spot. The drill below helps you find the right move when Black is already under pressure, and it also shows which replies are easy to punish.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →The key move is active and central
In this position, the engine’s best move is Nd5. That is a strong practical sign: White should keep the position active and central rather than drifting into passive play. The main idea is simple for a club player: use the advanced pawn to gain space, then make Black react to your piece activity. In the drill, focus on what pieces can become active next and how to keep Black’s counterplay under control.
What the numbers say
The database is very healthy for White here. Across 305,239 games, White wins 55.6%, draws 3.3%, and Black wins 41.2%. The most-played continuation is Nd5, with 213,421 games and White scoring 53.2%. That is a useful clue: the most natural move is also the most common one, and the results suggest White generally feels comfortable in this structure.
Replies you should know
Several other continuations appear often, but they are not as reliable. Ng4 has been played in 50,252 games, with White scoring 56.8%. Ne4 has been played in 20,412 games, with White scoring 71.2%. Ng8 has been played in 14,407 games, with White scoring 56.5%, and Nh5 has been played in 3,795 games, with White scoring 68.1%. The rare move e6 has been played in 726 games, with White scoring 75.3%. In the drill, use these replies as practice for spotting when Black’s idea is not enough.
Black’s mistakes are punishable
This position has a clear tactical lesson: some moves lose a lot of ground. Ne4 is a mistake and loses about 2.6 pawns; Nh5 is a mistake and loses about 1.1 pawns; e6 is a blunder and loses about 3.2 pawns. In each case, the better move was Nd5. So when Black chooses one of these, your job is to stay calm, keep the advantage, and continue with the most active move rather than grabbing at something random.
What kind of position you are aiming for
This opening line is good for White if you like space, piece activity, and forcing Black to solve problems early. You are not trying to memorise a long string of moves; you are trying to understand the position that appears after 3.e5. White’s advanced pawn gives room to build, and Black’s best practical answer is often to challenge your central control. If you play this well, you steer the game into a middlegame where your extra space matters and Black has to work for counterplay.
Results across 305,239 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nd5 | 213,421 | 53.2% |
| Ng4 | 50,252 | 56.8% |
| Ne4 | 20,412 | 71.2% |
| Ng8 | 14,407 | 56.5% |
| Nh5 | 3,795 | 68.1% |
| e6 | 726 | 75.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea for White in the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation?
White advances the e-pawn early and gains space. In this position, the strongest move listed is Nd5, so the drill is about using activity and central pressure rather than playing slowly.
Is this opening good for White?
Yes, this exact position is a small edge for White. Stockfish gives +0.68, and the database also shows White scoring better overall than Black here.
What is the best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is Nd5. It is also the most-played continuation, which is a good sign that it is the most natural move to study and practise.
Which Black moves should I punish in the drill?
The listed mistakes are Ne4, Nh5, and e6. Ne4 is a mistake, Nh5 is a mistake, and e6 is a blunder, all with Nd5 given as the better move.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation?
Over 305K Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation position. White wins 55.6%, Black wins 41.2%, with 3.3% draws — based on real rated games.