Chessy
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation – Playing Black
You've chosen the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack against the Sicilian, fianchetto style. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7, White faces a decision on how to handle your quick fianchetto. Stockfish evaluates this position at +0.46, a small edge for White, meaning you are slightly worse — but not by much. The statistics back that up: out of over 264,000 games, Black scores 46.7%, White 49.4%, and draws are rare at 3.8%. In the drill below, you'll defend this position against an adaptive engine. Let's look at what matters in this setup.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation: O-O against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Ready to test your defence? Play this position against the adaptive engine below — you'll face the most common replies and learn to handle each one.
Create a free account →The Big Picture: What You're Fighting For
In this position the centre is still fluid. White's bishop on b5 pins your knight to the king, and your kingside fianchetto is already complete. Your main long‑term assets are the two bishops (especially when the b5 bishop is traded for your knight) and the half‑open c‑file that often results. Black's winning chances are real — 46.7% is nearly equal — but the engine's +0.46 reminds you that White has a slight pressure to navigate. Your task is to finish development (…Nf6, …O‑O, …d6) while making White's central break difficult.
The Engine's First Choice: Bxc6
The top engine move here is Bxc6, immediately trading bishop for knight. The computer's suggested continuation runs Bxc6 dxc6 d3 Nf6. After this exchange you get the bishop pair, though your pawn structure is doubled on the c‑file. That's not as scary as it looks — your dark‑squared bishop on g7 becomes powerful behind the pawn chain, and the c‑file can later challenge White's rook. Notice that White plays d3 rather than d4, keeping the centre closed to limit your bishop's scope. You'll want to answer with …Nf6 and castling quickly, then decide whether to play …b6 and …Bb7 or …e5 to fix the centre.
The Statistics: What White Actually Plays
Lichess data from 264,134 games shows the most popular White move is c3 (108,658 games), scoring 50.3%. That's a sensible try to support d4 later. Next come Re1 (42,626 games, 51.0%) and Nc3 (41,214 games, 48.2%). The engine's favourite, Bxc6, is only fourth most played with 34,320 games — and White scores only 49.3% there. This tells you two things: many White players avoid the immediate trade, and when they do play Bxc6, the game is finely balanced. The rarest major move, d4 (5,312 games), actually scores worst for White at just 40.7% — a clue that rushing the centre can backfire.
One Mistake to Punish
The FACTS list one clear inaccuracy in this position: d4. Playing d4 here loses about 0.8 pawns in evaluation compared to the best move Bxc6. After 4…Bg7, if White pushes d4, you can reply with …cxd4 (opening the c‑file) and then …Nxd4 or …Qxd4, depending on how White recaptures. Your fianchettoed bishop already eyes the long diagonal, and with d4 White has loosened the centre prematurely. Many club players instinctively advance d4 in Sicilian positions — but here it gives you active, easy play. Keep d4 on your radar as a potential gift.
Results across 264,134 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c3 | 108,658 | 50.3% |
| Re1 | 42,626 | 51.0% |
| Nc3 | 41,214 | 48.2% |
| Bxc6 | 34,320 | 49.3% |
| d3 | 22,793 | 48.1% |
| d4 | 5,312 | 40.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack in the Sicilian Defense?
It's the line 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, developing the bishop to b5 before d4. The Fianchetto Variation continues 3…g6, and our position starts after 4.O-O Bg7. White delays the central break and puts pressure on your knight, while you aim for a solid kingside setup with the bishop on g7.
What is Black's main plan after 4…Bg7?
Your core ideas are: finish development with …Nf6 and …O‑O, keep the centre flexible (avoid committing to …d5 too early), and use the bishop pair if White trades on c6. If White plays c3, you can consider …d5 or …e5; if White plays Nc3, you might keep the tension with …d6.
Why is d4 a mistake for White here?
According to the engines, d4 is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.8 pawns compared to Bxc6. After 4…Bg7, pushing d4 allows Black to take on d4, opening the centre while your fianchettoed bishop eyes the long diagonal. White's best move is Bxc6 instead.
How often does Black win this position in practice?
In over 264,000 games on Lichess at this exact position (4.O-O Bg7), Black wins 46.7% of the time, White wins 49.4%, and only 3.8% end in draws. That's a very healthy score for Black — nearly equal to White, even though the computer gives White a small edge.